ReemK10 (Paper Pills)’s Comments (group member since Dec 26, 2012)

ReemK10 (Paper Pills)’s comments from the The Year of Reading Proust group.

Marcelita wrote: "ReemK10 (Got Proust?) wrote: "Marcelita wrote: "I was thinking about....how Proust studies human behavior from every facet, then becomes "Marcel Post."
"...although in his company (Saint-Loup), I w..."

That's actually a very good point you bring up there. I think because the Narrator grew up living in a household that had a lot of family togetherness, with aunts and uncles, grandmothers and grandfathers around all the time, not to forget Francoise that he always had this role of the child.

Marcelita wrote: "I was thinking about....how Proust studies human behavior from every facet, then becomes "Marcel Post."
"...although in his company (Saint-Loup), I was alone as I should have been in front of a lan..."

I like your observation and the quotes used, and they indicate maturity which seems to be at odds with his behavior when he sobs himself to sleep because his grandmother wouldn't/didn't kiss him good night.

" At length I would go to bed, a little resentful of her for depriving me, with an indifference so new and strange in her, of a joy on which I had counted so much, and I would lie there for a while, my heart throbbing as in my childhood, listening to the wall which remained silent, until I cried myself to sleep." (501-502)

It's so strange how not having these good night kisses is so traumatic for him, even when he's older.

Jocelyne wrote:
"Very well put, Reem! "

Jocelyne, thanks hun, but I only quote. Glad you liked it Kyle!

"The future of literary studies crucially depends on the question of how well people can read. This is not just about how much knowledge or wisdom (cultural, social, historical and so on) can be gathered from reading literature but also about what kinds of thinking - perhaps new and revolutionary kinds - might be triggered by an encounter with a literary work. In this context I would suggest that we need to make space for “creative reading” as much as “creative writing” - at least if we understand “creative reading” to be something like “ways of reading that are not only rigorous, careful, attentive to historical context, different connotations and nuances of meaning and so on, but also inventive, surprising, willing to take risks, to be experimental, to deform and transform”.


Here's to our creative reading of Proust.

Eugene wrote:
Note two weeks ago Reem complained that she had difficulty with the ML translation opposed to the translation by Lydia Davis of Vol 1.

It's true, this volume has me reading for content and totally missing out on the joy of reading Proust's sentences.Davis's translation was pure poetry!!

Eugene wrote:
"Proust liked the letter writing of Mme de Sévigné. What Proust does, writing in the character of Mme de Villparisis, is to disparage Mme de Sévigné and her "littérature"; this is Mme de Villparisis's point of view, not Proust's, even though he wrote it."

Yes, of course. It is interesting how people viewed the salonnière with her literary salons, especially in Paris! You would have liked to be in that carriage, I would have loved to be a fly on the wall of Mme de Sevigne's literary salon!!

Kalliope wrote: "Reem,

Yes, that is what I meant in my post #27. The translated "literary" corresponds to the "un peu de litterature", meaning that all that writing is overblowing and making too much out of her ..."

Thanks for explaining Kalliope. Since you've read her letters, don't you think they would make for a great play? Just two women taking turns reading the letters they wrote to one another, and then expressing their different reactions and emotions to the audience.

Kalliope wrote: "ReemK10 (Got Proust?) wrote: "As readers did you already know that there really was a Mme de Sevigne who was known for her letter writing and literary salon? I certainly didn't.


"Women were the h..."

So Kalliope, maybe that is what was meant by being literary. Maybe Proust was poking fun at the fact that Mme de Sevigne being separated from her daughter wrote her so many letters which is why the word literary here has negative vibes. Or perhaps not poking fun but this letter writing resonated with him in some way.

How cool that you lived there!

As readers did you already know that there really was a Mme de Sevigne who was known for her letter writing and literary salon? I certainly didn't.


"Women were the hostesses of these highly sought-after, cerebral get-togethers. These women were les Grandes Dames des Salons Parisiens, the Great Ladies of the Parisian Salons. The guest lists of these meetings were as infamous as they were celebrated including some of the greatest minds and personalities of the Enlightenment – Volatire, Molière, MADAME DE SEVIGNE, David Hume, Horace Walpole, Benjamin Franklin "http://becomingmadame.wordpress.com/2...

Mme de Sévigné corresponded with her daughter for nearly thirty years.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marie_de...

Point taken.

I clicked on a link that brougt me to this page that I just had to share with you. Redemption through Reading. Even they will have a 10 Best Read list.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/w...

Kalliope wrote: "I understand it as "exaggerated, pretentious, overblown"... The context is the endless number of letters (hence the idea of an overdone amount of literature) exchanged between Mme de Sévigné and her daughter Mme de Grignan who after marrying went to live in Provence."

Thank you Kalliope. That is interesting when one holds the word literary in such high regard, and then see it being used to mean pretentious. Quite funny too in it used to describe an overdone amount of literature. Oh how literary, all they do is write letters! lol Obviously, something was lost in translation.

Can someone please explain to me what is meant by the word "literary" in this context:

"When Mme de Villeparisis asked him to describe to my grandmother some country house in which Mme de Sevigne had stayed, adding that she could not help feeling that there was something rather "literary" about that lady's distress at being parted from "that tireseome Mme de Grignan": (467)

dramatic?

Traveller wrote: It is the most vociferous who are the most visible, and sadly, the most listened to.

You make a good point there.
It's always interesting when at the end of each year, lists are published of the best books of the year, and you just wish there was a list that had more of the books you'd read on it.

I actually removed my books from my bookshelves a while back because I didn't want my reading to be profiled. It was bad enough that the Bush/Cheney Admin manipulated the Patriot Act to have our library records be public information that I didn't think I should have to do it voluntarily. There is something very intrusive about having all of our personal habits observed.

Fionnuala wrote: ", perhaps we can survive in their shadow, and lead them where we want them to go - a place where more books by a wider selection of authors eventually get published.
I wonder too what they will make of the amount of translated works goodreaders are constantly seeking out? That's a resource I'd love to see exploited more -"

I love your idea! Maybe goodreaders can create A Goodreads Bestseller list!

Goodreads + Amazon = Nicereads where goodreaders can occupy publishing street!!! :)

MoonButterfly wrote: "ReemK10 (Got Proust?) wrote: "I think Amazon should take seriously the reviewers on Goodreads and hire them, thus paying them for their valuable reviews that impact our reading choices. "

I agree,..."

I second that! Have you seen this?'
“First do no harm”: My interview with Amazon and Goodreads on the future of Goodreads "

http://paidcontent.org/2013/03/28/fir...

This reminds me of when Huffington Post merged with Aol, and all of the post's freelance writers being basically asked to contribute for free. I think Amazon should take seriously the reviewers on Goodreads and hire them, thus paying them for their valuable reviews that impact our reading choices.

Cheryl wrote: "Life has been a bit hectic...we are in the midst of renovation of a 100 year old building. Moving from camping in one section to camping in another. I'm behind in my reading...I've learned that a r..."

These are great photos! I came across one of them just the other day. It's always fun to look at before and after photos.

Regarding all the honey talk, I tried to find a video I had seen a few years ago of a Moroccan honey vendor that sold honey for medicinal purposes, but just could not find it anywhere. Nevertheless, I shall not give up and will try again.

Susan wrote: "Thanks! Saw the list ReemK10 just published which I believe is from ou. Is this from a book? It is a great list!"

I honestly don't know. My mother gave it to me, so I stuck it on the fridge. I need a different list. What to eat for psychosomatic pain. LOL

MoonButterfly, if you love sharing your reviews with friends on Goodreads, why stop?

Elizabeth wrote:" Aloha: you know how drs hate natural remedies?"

I have this on my fridge:

For those interested in How To Never Be Sick Again with food as miracle medicines:

Headaches: fish
Hay fever: yogurt
Strokes: tea
Insomnia: honey
Asthma: onions
Arthritis: fish
Upset stomach: bananas, ginger
Bladder infections:cranberry juice
Bone problems: pineapple
PMS:cornflakes
Memory problems: oysters
Colds: garlic
Cough: red pepper
Breast cancer: wheat,bran,cabbage
Lung cancer:orange and green veggies
Ulcers: cabbage
Diarrhea: apples
Clogged arteries: avocados
High blood pressure: olive oil, celery
Blood sugar imbalance: Broccoli, peanuts