luci_ja's review against another edition
4.5
An attempt to make sense of events past, current and those yet to be. A re-telling, reflection, and re-living, while showing that the personal is always political, even if we might feel distanced from or dissilusioned by it. Beautifully written, with some many snippets and thoughtful comments that I regretted listening to it in an audiobook form, unable to highlight entire passages. A compass, and a light (self-)ironic portrayal of someone looking back at their life, which can also serve as a navigation point to our present.
14aburachisa's review against another edition
3.0
Unlike any memoir I have ever read; a collective journey through the past several decades. I felt particularly attached to her description of the journey of women's rights and her description at the end on the passing of time. Worth the read.
isaplato's review against another edition
challenging
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
4.5
The set up of this autobiography is very interesting and innovative. However, it didn’t hood my attention like ‘Happening’ did. Still thought the writing was amazing
kimjay's review against another edition
challenging
slow-paced
4.0
I found this book puzzling - it didn't quite move me emotionally; intellectually, I can appreciate Ernaux's vast capability to track historical events throughout her life, and it's inspired me to consider keeping a journal of my own. I wonder if not being French and being unable to understand all these references is a reason why I've been handicapped, or if a great book (as this one is) should be able to reach me regardless.
Overall themes of Ernaux's are stretching beyond the personal "I" to situate herself (and women's lives) within the broader sociopolitical collective; the consumerization of society (contrast her rural upbringing with her urban adulthood), and increased secularization of France.
Overall themes of Ernaux's are stretching beyond the personal "I" to situate herself (and women's lives) within the broader sociopolitical collective; the consumerization of society (contrast her rural upbringing with her urban adulthood), and increased secularization of France.
shweng's review
Just wasn’t getting in the swing of it. But I love her other books so I might come back to this