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The novel is written in an observational style and sets an atmosphere that is quite stark. She shows little emotion in her account of her Father. But the book does excite emotion and communicates the French society in which her Father was born and lived. The impact of birth gave him limited expectations. Compared himself constantly to others - how was he to prove himself? He was very sensitive to how he would be judged and had an inability to talk about things outside of the ordinary. A poignant and sad memoir of how her Father accepted his lot in life.
At first it seemed a very cold, factual story but then I was very moved by it. She wanted to write a novel about her father but found she could not. she observes and writes about what her parents had gone through and how they were bound by the social norms of their day. Her Father was brought up by a non-reader who got angry when he saw any relatives reading. I really, really enjoyed the book and would like to read more of her work.
Also moved by the book and may need to read it twice. It gives real insight into time and place, and into country, culture and class. It was sad that the father couldn't engage with his daughter’s life. He was emotionally stunted by his hard life and upbringing. Perhaps he hoped for change but died too soon. Very glad that I read it
Very interesting book, basically about a child outgrowing the parent, which is not uncommon. The social attitudes in the class system all changing as the child gets older though some attitudes remained. There's a sense of regret in her writing as she writes about her parents and especially her Father.
Interesting quote at the beginning:
“May I venture an explanation: writing is the ultimate recourse for those who have betrayed” – Yuki Tsushima
It was very poignant that then when he died he had a newspaper cutting in his pocket of his daughter passing her exam to be a teacher. He was obviously proud of her.
I almost read it twice. There's a whole lifetime within such a short book, and the historical detail was fascinating - the children having worms. Her Father very aware of his class, and sad that he had no awareness of beauty. Very scenic portraits of places, the beach, half-timbered houses etc. Interesting that the grandfather lashed out at his children and then his son became someone who lashed out at his wife as they hurled insults at each other.
Quite enjoyed it at the beginning but the narrator is not dispassionate. She became too intrusive. It was a simple tale, simply told. It said more about her perhaps than about him. She has a different life in her school and then finds her home lacking. She seems to berate and belittle her father and I didn't like her superiority towards him.
Reminded me of some aspects of my own upbringing. My Father frustrated in his own education was pleased to see his sons having opportunities he had hoped for. Also working-class origins encountering middle-class norms but nothing like the issues raised in A Man’s Life. Her book “The Years” takes a much broader sweep through the whole of Annie Ernaux’s life and is well worth a read.
At first it seemed a very cold, factual story but then I was very moved by it. She wanted to write a novel about her father but found she could not. she observes and writes about what her parents had gone through and how they were bound by the social norms of their day. Her Father was brought up by a non-reader who got angry when he saw any relatives reading. I really, really enjoyed the book and would like to read more of her work.
Also moved by the book and may need to read it twice. It gives real insight into time and place, and into country, culture and class. It was sad that the father couldn't engage with his daughter’s life. He was emotionally stunted by his hard life and upbringing. Perhaps he hoped for change but died too soon. Very glad that I read it
Very interesting book, basically about a child outgrowing the parent, which is not uncommon. The social attitudes in the class system all changing as the child gets older though some attitudes remained. There's a sense of regret in her writing as she writes about her parents and especially her Father.
Interesting quote at the beginning:
“May I venture an explanation: writing is the ultimate recourse for those who have betrayed” – Yuki Tsushima
It was very poignant that then when he died he had a newspaper cutting in his pocket of his daughter passing her exam to be a teacher. He was obviously proud of her.
I almost read it twice. There's a whole lifetime within such a short book, and the historical detail was fascinating - the children having worms. Her Father very aware of his class, and sad that he had no awareness of beauty. Very scenic portraits of places, the beach, half-timbered houses etc. Interesting that the grandfather lashed out at his children and then his son became someone who lashed out at his wife as they hurled insults at each other.
Quite enjoyed it at the beginning but the narrator is not dispassionate. She became too intrusive. It was a simple tale, simply told. It said more about her perhaps than about him. She has a different life in her school and then finds her home lacking. She seems to berate and belittle her father and I didn't like her superiority towards him.
Reminded me of some aspects of my own upbringing. My Father frustrated in his own education was pleased to see his sons having opportunities he had hoped for. Also working-class origins encountering middle-class norms but nothing like the issues raised in A Man’s Life. Her book “The Years” takes a much broader sweep through the whole of Annie Ernaux’s life and is well worth a read.