From the Bookshelf of The Year of Reading Proust…

Selected Letters

Madame de Sévigné,

Leonard Tancock (Translator)

Discussion: Auxiliary Reading (w/Spoilers)

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Auxiliary Reading (w/Spoilers)

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Oct 10, 2017 Wayne is currently reading it

Shelves: history, memoirs-biography, re-reads, sexuality, conversations, french-classics, letters-famed

Always mentioned as being regular friends of Madame de Sevigne are two other writers.
Both French. Madame de La Fayette (1634-1693) whose novel "La Princesse de Cleves" is one of the masterpieces of the Seventeenth Century; and La Rochefoucauld (1613-1680) famous for his book of Maxims. I have read Madame de La Fayette's novel several times, twice when I was in the throes of Love and goodness, how well she portrayed that condition. These three were a devoted trio, intimate friends. And the wit of
Always mentioned as being regular friends of Madame de Sevigne are two other writers.
Both French. Madame de La Fayette (1634-1693) whose novel "La Princesse de Cleves" is one of the masterpieces of the Seventeenth Century; and La Rochefoucauld (1613-1680) famous for his book of Maxims. I have read Madame de La Fayette's novel several times, twice when I was in the throes of Love and goodness, how well she portrayed that condition. These three were a devoted trio, intimate friends. And the wit of La Rochefoucauld bore one reading and soon another ?
However, Madame de Sevigne is another matter.
She wrote for One.
She wrote every day mostly. EVERY DAY !!!
It would have brought her the joy of being close to her beloved daughter. The rest of her day...??? Resigned to it. Taking notes, mental or otherwise for tomorrow's belle lettre ?
The Princesse de Hesse-Cassel is referred to as being " a very kind friend to the lonely Mme de S." who never ever sought Fame although she is saddled with it and couldn't have cared less if she knew it. This was a private correspondence. You may learn from it but it is NOT YOURS, FOR you or TO you. She missed her daughter...dreadfully. When reviewers rhapsodise about some of the interesting content of her letters, they are somehow missing something.

This is my Third Attempt to read the letters. One reason it is difficult is that it is a condensed volume and so many letters are missing...hence so can be a continuous tale. I have become glad they are missing.The continual lengthy assurances of love can only be appreciated by someone who reciprocates, wants to , needs to hear it. Or was dreadfully sick and tired of it. I can imagine them giving a silent scream when the mail was delivered. Or , if as lost as her Mum, relishing the read as much as yesterday's ...did they have daily deliveries in the 17th Century...between Paris and Provence? I doubt it. It probably arrived in a sack, a FULL sack. "If only someone would invent 'the Letter-Bomb" dreamed the daughter who was required to answer the famous Letters EVERY DAY !!
(Whatever happened to that daughter's letters???)

Yes, we have interesting accounts, gossip, interesting executions, interesting visits, family news, friends sending regards...but NOT IN THIS CONTEXT.
I'm often not sure of whom she speaks. Nor are the experts as pseudonyms were given to many.

I am DETERMINED, yes, to finish it and have done, having given this Poor Soul her due which I trust her daughter was able to do. But really I can give NOTHING except to myself.
I may read Other Reviews with some amusement...which will be a relief.
Some sarcasm...as long as I don't respond to it.
Vive La Madame de Belle Lettres de Sevigne !!!
I just recalled ...I have visited her Paris Home, now the Museum of The History of Paris, several times. Really no sign of her there. She did what she wanted and needed to do.
R.I.P.

...more

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