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Paper Gardens: A Stroll through French Literature
From Jean-Jacques Rousseau to Marcel Proust, from Marguerite Duras to George Sand, from Colette to Patrick Modiano, gardens appear in novels as representations of the real world, but also as reflections of the imagination. In Paper A Stroll through French Literature, Évelyne Bloch-Dano contemplates the role of the garden in the work of great prose writers, ruminating on how the garden can variously symbolize a reflection of the soul, a well-earned rest, an improving form of work, a nostalgia for childhood, and the dream of an ideal world.
The charming and erudite first section focuses on history and is devoted to types of gardens ranging from the biblical Garden of Eden to English parklands; the second perceptively considers their role in literary works. Concealed within these cultivated wanderings is also an element of autobiography. Lovers of literature and gardening alike will fall in love with this beautifully written meditation.
240 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 15, 2015
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July 18, 2020
Don’t get me wrong, I did enjoy this book a lot. I’m not a huge nonfiction reader, so it did take me a while to get through, but Bloch-Dano’s writing (or, rather, the translation of her writing) was beautiful, informative, and gave me much to think about.
I haven’t read much, if any French literature, which was probably my mistake going into the book. I’m certain if I was more familiar with the works and the authors I would’ve enjoyed it so much more. I definitely want to read French works now, though, and maybe someday I’ll revisit this book and I’ll be able to appreciate it much more.
The 3 stars are not a reflection of the book itself, more of a reflection of my lack of experience with this topic and nonfiction in general. I still would highly recommend this to anyone with an interest in French authors, literature, or history.
I haven’t read much, if any French literature, which was probably my mistake going into the book. I’m certain if I was more familiar with the works and the authors I would’ve enjoyed it so much more. I definitely want to read French works now, though, and maybe someday I’ll revisit this book and I’ll be able to appreciate it much more.
The 3 stars are not a reflection of the book itself, more of a reflection of my lack of experience with this topic and nonfiction in general. I still would highly recommend this to anyone with an interest in French authors, literature, or history.
Displaying 1 of 1 review