Austerlitz by W.G. Sebald, pages 1 to 150

[George]

Please comment here on Austerlitz by W.G. Sebald, pages 1 to 150.

[Mary]

Here's something somewhat off topic AND completely amazing! I started reading the book this morning and was intrigued by the photo of the Antwerp rail station. So I googled it. On Wikipedia in the Popular Culture section about the rail station is a reference to 2009 Antwerp rail station flashmob do re mi. Watch the video on YouTube! It's a flash mob performing that famous song from "The Sound of Music" in the train station!!

[George]

Thanks Mary. An entertaining video that certainly shows how huge the railway building is. I then typed Antwerp railway station images on the Internet. It's quite an impressive building. Why are major railway station buildings so large? Even Adelaide's railway station is an impressive building.

I am one third the way through this book. It's a mesmerising read that for the first forty odd pages seems to be like reading a personalised travel journal. Then the life story of Jaques Austerlitz begins. An original, interesting story that meanders along with reflective descriptions. So far an intriguing, clever, interesting read.

[Irene]

I am at the half way point. "Meanders" is a good word. Unfortunately, I am in the wrong space for meandering right now. So, rather than allowing the descriptions to carry me away, I am telling the narrator to get on with the story. I want to know what all these lengthy descriptions of architecture or collections of birds and bugs have anything to do with the tale.

[Mary]

I am 1/4 through. Am finding it a difficult read, so much so that I considered abandoning the book. Instead I read some book reviews and some pieces about the literary style relative to the main themes of the book. Will continue reading; from the reviews I've read it appears that the narrative gets more interesting. This may be one of those books that I appreciate more, after finishing reading.

[Irene]

I just googled Austerlitz and it came up with an 1805 battle. I wonder if the author intended any connection, any allusion in naming his character after this battle.

[George]

An Interesting question that I haven't been able to answer. Napoleon's arguably greatest victory. The battle is referred to on pages 71 and 72 of my Modern Library edition.

[George]

Just a passing thought and probably just coincidental but the name "Austerlitz" is close to "Auschwitz" (the Polish concentration camp). Sebald saw a program on TV about 3 year old twins in 1939 arriving in London where they were given a new identity, adopted by a childless Welsh minister and his wife. Only 50 years later did one of the surviving twins discover who her parents were. She published a memoir in 1999 titled, Rosa's Child: One Woman's Search for Her Past.

[Irene]

I had read about that documentary that inspired this novel. I think I would rather read the true story over this book.

[Mary]

George, I had read about the similarity of "Auschwitz" and "Austerlitz". And think it was not a coincidence that Sebald chose this name for the protagonist. You think so, too? Interesting note about the program Sebald saw about the twins. I may read that.