E.M Cioran - The Temptation to Exist BOOK REVIEW

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[@thomastheobscure351]

It's very difficult to talk about Cioran, the writer Cioran, the moralist Cioran, or simply about the man Cioran, for he's quite the idiosyncratic animal - witness his biography (if he truly has one...): when he was but a tike, he enjoyed spending his time wandering about the forests that surrounded the mountain village where he lived, and he had taken a fancy to a specific dweller from there, a drunkard, more specifically, a miserable, wretched man, but one he truly admired, because of all people he was the only one who never worked nor did anything except drinking, and, as Cioran says, this man was lucky enough to die when still young. Later in his life, when he was something like 13 - 14, he picked up a violin, one which apparently enjoyed playing, but, for no serious reason, he gave up short after - and that's the period when he started reading: at about 15. He then became pretty infatuated with philosophy, perhaps out of a thirst for answers, for convincing answers, so much actually that by 22 he had already written his first book for which he also received a prize (one of the only two he decided to accept from all that were granted to him), a book that bears the name ''Pe culmile disperării'', or ''On the Heights of Despair'' - translated from Romanian. Now, this books is incredibly passionate and effervescent and just vibrating of some destructive energy, something that definitely resembles Nietzsche's style (which also was one of the main influences for him, I think, especially speaking of writing techniques: Nietzsche used to write in fragments and aphorisms, and Cioran does the same), a style that Cioran abode to for the next 20 years, a style that can very efficiently be compared to a roar, and a style that Cioran also saw fit to use in order to produce his political book of yore: ''Schimbarea la față a României'' (I guess in English that would sound like this: ''The Transfiguration of Romania''), where he puts all these extremist, highly nationalist beliefs and convictions - pages that he'd reject without hesitation later in his life when he grew fond of a more concise, cold and uninterested style, one that fitted the character of a moralist, but also when he decided that nothing truly exists but our conscience and the images that develop within the walls of our skull. Cioran, if we must classify him, somehow, even if I, just like him, say it without any conviction, is a skeptic par excellence: a man that you cannot consider being an atheist because to him the term sounds as a dogma too, as a belief, a form of believing in nothing; instead, he's merely unfaithful, completely devoid of faith or of any other element that is not compatible with doubt. That's why, from all his books, I appreciate most the ones we had written in his late 60s, early 70s, because everything seems stripped of any lyrical impulse, of any vitality: his writing became so gossamer and concise that, out of fear of indecency, you cannot assign it to anything: Cioran had written for nothing at all, he was outside everything, an outsider by divine right - one that absolutely loved to be called a deicide, a position that doesn't seem too pretentious for someone like Cioran, given his ''economy'' of God, or the lack thereof.

[@Firespectrum122]

Where did you get this information? I've been looking for a biography of Cioran for a long, long time.

[@prs223]

@@Firespectrum122 There isn`t any biography, not even in Romania, and that`s a real shame... He mostly refused giving any interviews troughout his life, but there are some exceptions. I don`t know how many of them are actually translated, tough..

[@Hotdogdoperwtje2]

@@prs223 Yes there is. Searching for Cioran (2009) by Ilinca Zarifopol-Johnston. Primarily focusses on his Rumanian period.

[@prs223]

@@Hotdogdoperwtje2 Thanks for the recomandation. I didn't knew aboit it.

[@gloriouscontent3538]

Jesus man, maybe you should write a book.

[@christomek3112]

"Caution this door must be kept closed" *Opens door* Appropriate intro for a review of Cioran's work I'd say! lol

[@paradiceislost9]

Best possible location for Cioran.

[@allison01ful]

i was an irish doorman in manhattan used read cioran books to understand the nervous breakdown i was having in manhattan , great short clip

[@abbythewasteland5841]

dont read cioran on a roof!!!!!!!!!! i literally was afraid you were gunna jump off at any momentlol

[@aloisbrunzenbichler9092]

Most of us lack the condition for suicide.

[@gloriouscontent3538]

@@aloisbrunzenbichler9092 Fascinating, and I think thats what that french gypsy was on about. Kinda the point abby.

[@millennialpoet1129]

only if he had a good reason for not.

[@michaelshannon9169]

Id be all 'Noooooooo you didnt finish your seeerawwn revieeeeeeewwww'

[@sebbvell3426]

If he had jumped, then who would've uploaded the video?

[@catacombeaperte]

Your book reviews are never disappointing. Keep doing them, please.

[@BetterThanFoodBookReviews]

I shall, please keep watchin, thanks for the kind words.

[@FirstLadyReads]

I just discovered your channel a few days ago and I am loving it. You remind me so much of a philosophy instructor I had in college. Thank you so much for reminding me what reading can really do for you. Except unlike my philosophy instructor you are much more appealing to the eye. Thank you.

[@BetterThanFoodBookReviews]

+Jacquelynn Merci Jacquelynn - thanks for the kind words, and for watching.

[@FirstLadyReads]

+Better Than Food: Book Reviews Tout le plaisir est pour moi. Merci.

[@theo_c83]

Cioran is one of those haunting authors whose writing I will carry with me to my grave. I remember reading him as a child in Romanian and being terrified by his views on love. Amazing review, Cliff. I am excited to see you review Eastern European authors. Will you ever review some more Dostoevsky or perhaps some lesser known Tolstoy? Chekhov?

[@BetterThanFoodBookReviews]

Yes, definitely on their way, thanks for watching!

[@Demention94]

Don't do it. Don't jump.

[@s7k6s]

i love his work and thank you for speaking about the beauty of his work. his work has been a constant companion over the last 5 or so years. regards

[@bergweg]

For those curious, Cioran in Romanian is pronounced like Chyo-run

[@alexverdigris9939]

For those who keep objecting about name pronunciation: get a life, losers!

[@blackmetalmagick1]

wow can't believe you're not familiar with Schopenhauer, you should really get into him. I would recommend "essays and aphorisms" first then his Opus "World as Will and representation"

[@juliusaugustino8409]

I'd love to hear your thoughts on Thomas Pynchon's novels. Great review once again Cliff!

[@AndalusianIrish]

Hear hear!

[@Xorphial]

Found Cioran while reading about Diogenes. Love both of them.

[@bryanduffy1874]

YES!!! Was just going email and see if you enjoyed any Cioran. A short history of decay was my first Cioran read. Such diverse styles in his aphorisms.

[@syscrusher]

Cioran: why say something in one sentence when it can be said in fifteen?

[@danielfullerton2347]

Do you carry a mug with you everywhere you go?

[@BetterThanFoodBookReviews]

Yes! Not only a mug, but a hand grinder, a very small chemex and a kettle. Saves a fuckload of money when traveling.

[@danielfullerton2347]

+Better Than Food: Book Reviews good tips! Keep up the vids man, I'm discovering so much good reading through your channel.

[@lainx3]

I was walking home from work while listening to your review and it was such a pleasant experience! I wish i had someone like you to discuss books and philosophy, you are a very amicable man :)

[@BetterThanFoodBookReviews]

Thank you, very happy to hear you're enjoying

[@lainx3]

Better Than Food: Book Reviews my pleasure, honestly! If i may make a recommendation myself I'd suggest checking out "Under the skin" by Faber (the movie was good too, just different). Anyway, hope you have a great day!

[@BetterThanFoodBookReviews]

Sounds great - you too

[@infinitelyconciousness]

„Optimistic pessimism“ is on point. His aphorisms have a meditativ character and make you feel better even if you are a loser in society.

[@michaelhourican1477]

Recommending you Colin Wilson's The Outsider - not necessarily to review, but certainly to read.

[@heekyungkim8147]

Emil Cioran helped me overcome my thoughts of suicide.

[@oussemazakraoui4750]

thank god he did ! please don't ever think about it again since there's still philosophy , poetry , music , films in this life then it's worth living , live for art !

[@heekyungkim8147]

oussema zakraoui . i will try ... thank you for the message.

[@justamoteofdust]

@@heekyungkim8147 which was your first book from him?

[@heekyungkim8147]

@@justamoteofdust on the heights of despair.

[@johnnyshaman3525]

One of Your very best. As always, thanks for introducing me to this writer and his words.

[@jeff8835]

Always pronounced his name ""chore-on", "see-rawn" is tempting now! Thanks for reviewing Cioran, will love hearing your thoughts on them all.

[@HandleGF]

The first (Romanian) pronunciation is right.

[@ArchieMoore]

@@HandleGF Yes, respect his heritage and how he would've liked it pronounced.

[@crippleized]

The time has come. *Leans back* *takes off pants*

[@clairechen7273]

5:05 did someone catch you filming haha Binge watching all your video to add to my reading list, so glad I found this channel!

[@BetterThanFoodBookReviews]

Yes! This dude in a giant puffy jacket just materialized and lurked for the whole vid. Thanks for watchin :)

[@neptunevibe]

The second pronunciation is correct. So what if he lived in France? He is Romanian. I'm Romanian and I pronounce foreign name in their original form. I don't butcher them so why you should do it?

[@ameygharse1374]

Bought this book based on your review, will read it soon. good review!

[@Stephan201093]

Cioran is such a nice read, and has such a way of exposing his thoughts that at first seem to bring pessimism to the reader, but actually, as you stated, brings optimism, he was a very lively guy that enjoyed life a lot. Once he told his friend C. Noica, another romanian philosopher, "dont tell anyone, but i love life!" He also was very influenced by Dostoievski and Lev Sestov, would recommend Lev Sestov's book Apofeoz bespochvennosti (All things are possible, english title i think).

[@unknownandunnamed]

Wind blowing made this vid a bit uncomfortable to listen to, but as always, a great review

[@ioFilip]

wow that wind upgrades your discourse

[@volcanicreality]

It seems we have nearly identical tastes, I finished the Temptation to Exist just a few days ago!

[@BetterThanFoodBookReviews]

Nice!!

[@cjfield123]

Have you read Giacomo leopardi one of Emil Cioran personal heroes ??

[@cototheyounger8831]

Hey man, I love all your reviews. I've gone though all of them in about one week. Just wondering, will you be reviewing any of Hermann Hesse's work?

[@codeasone]

Love this review. Good to see you out and about, so please do more reviews like this. I'll be losing my Cioran virginity soon, but which of his works to read first?

[@gavrusbogdan1125]

You didn't keep your word on reviewing more of Cioran's work :))

[@bernardoalabes6807]

1 - Very important fact about Schopenhauer: Wrote one big book about will, and the rest of his books were trying to explain and explore more about this first one. 2 - Another thing, i am listening "Ballads" by Derek Bailey. I have to say, this is the second try and maybe more satisfied than the first one, a month ago. Really beatiful stuff. I think Derek Bailey needs all that mix of notes, that sound that touches the not tuned guitar, to let you hear the armonical and melodic sound you find in certain parts of his music. You need both type of playing, to really aprecciate them. 3 - A thing i find attractive about this channel, is the fact that there not many channels that talk about, lets say "serious books". I am not trying to separate different type of readers by trying to put myself higher. Just saying that there a lot of Young adult books reviews. 4 - Jorge Luis Borges : I am Argentinian. Its really honorable to hear you ( i think you are from usa, i dont know) having so many good writers from there, but acknowleging that the blind old guy is your favorite writer with Ficcions. Its something that gives me curiuos to see what you read.5 - (Last one). Try to read this book : Le Déluge by J M G Le Clézio. I could not find the name in english. This books has cost me a lot of "start and quit" in the last years. Its really difficult to follow at some points. Do some review if you want, so you tempt me to finish it please.

[@Cynicland]

Contrary to common opinion, Cioran is NOT a depressing company, on the contrary, his writings are an explosion, like Nietzsche, Cioran too was a "dynamite". He inserted poetry in prose. I made a book review on his first work, On The Heights of Despair. I propose the idea that this is NOT a depressing book, but rather a serenade to life. I will soon post a clip in which I will explain his concept of suicide as a way to protect his freedom. And I also talk, in the end, about how Cioran helped me with my suicidal thoughts. It is because of him that I am still alive today. We're talking about a writer who fell in love when he was 75 years old (Friedgard Thoma, 35 years at that time), a writer who loved life and regreted not being a musician, nor, at least, as he rather puts it in his journal/notebooks (1957-1972), a poet. "Eternal poetry without words" (Cioran) For those of you interested, here's the clip: kzbin.info/www/bejne/ionTl5SwpNWkeLM

[@TerezaMunn]

Dear Cliff, could you cover The Alexandria Quartet by Lawrence Durrell? I would love to watch your insights on it. It definitely is better than food material.

[@TheSuperseppe]

I bought this book a while ago but haven't read it yet I will now

[@liucara8548]

just started cioran, suprised after read so much of nietzsche, kierkegaard so many of his "pal" I just knew his recently. anyway it will never be too late to know any good ones. now i am sitting in a city i have never been and keep visiting the places far away from everything and everyone i know. guess it is a good time point to read him.

[@Ryan_Ek2]

10:03 Blue Steel

[@christinebarlow8706]

they all look alike to me

[@Amysdustybookshelf]

What a great view.

[@vultoor23]

Just discovered your channel. Great reviews! I don't know if you're familiar with Romanian literature; I would suggest The 25th Hour by Constantin Virgil Gheorghiu. Arguably, one of the best Romanian novels. Would be great to see a review on that. :) Thanks for a fantastic channel.

[@BetterThanFoodBookReviews]

+vultoor23 Of course, thank you.

[@kilroywashere3286]

I will never be as well read as you, though I might try.

[@hemanthjessie]

I would to like to see the review of "The corrections" by Jonathan Franzen.I really appreciate what you're doing.I love your work.Have a great day,man.

[@blackmirrorhenity3669]

Good video be good to see more corian on this channel.

[@TheTrueJuan]

Hello my dear correspondent of all things literary. Out of curiosity since you enjoy Emil Cioran and Swans have you heard the band Pinkish Black? on their bandcamp they have an album called The Trouble with Being Born you should check it out if you can. I'm so proud of all the success you are experiencing good sir. May you have a grand day ^-^.

[@BetterThanFoodBookReviews]

+Juan Perez Heyyy long time Mr. Perez. Nah I'll have to give it a listen, glad to see you haven't been sucked into the black hole of internet.

[@bon12121]

9:24 Older people have seen things. FOR EXAMPLE Tsunamis, that younger people have no conception about. So they teach the younger through song and ritual. I know it's an obscure example, but the outliers are typically what falsify a claim, and you said it was 100% BS. not right.

[@bon12121]

re-listening though, you did clarify by 'fundamentally' wiser. And I think I agree.

[@andrenemmais]

the wind

[@garymoraco3184]

I have added E.M. Cioran to my reading list.

[@bobbysherman8338]

This is one of the only seven books my has.

[@alexverdigris9939]

I'm Romanian and I prefer the French pronunciation of Cioran's surname. It's softer on the ear.

[@HandleGF]

Why do some Romanians worship everything French?

[@alexverdigris9939]

@@HandleGF Dunno, why don't you ask the Romanians you speak of? I'm not anyone's spokesperson.

[@neoskeptic]

Fucking awesome review, bro.

[@BetterThanFoodBookReviews]

Thanks mang

[@Gloriasaysimadino]

Great review!

[@rageagaintstheNWO]

I wanted to watch/hear this but that fukken wind ruins the video. Maybe i will try later, when the wind dies down.

[@serner457]

Awesome stuff!

[@foramejora]

Nice camera.

[@urjeshutthasani3714]

Great entrance

[@delmerman]

You have great hair.

[@umbraunuivis]

you said wife. I dont think he ever married her.

[@farzinmoridi]

Have you read The Denial of Death or Escape from Evil by Ernest Becker, or The Worm at Its Core? Highly recommend all three, though, fair warning, they are all pessimistic works (which it appears you have no problems with :)). Anyways, thank you for your videos. I've watched them all, learned about a lot of new good books, and felt inspired to continue to learning, even though sometimes I regret the things that I've learned. Thank you.

[@DR_SCRIDON_ANTON]

it's "ci" like în "children"

[@tranquil87]

Not in French. His own wife didn't pronounce it "chi", fyi.

[@christinebarlow8706]

that's cuz his wife was really a dude......and he, a she they traded places for a time...... being

[@Alex-nh8nv]

What wife? And who cares how pronounce his name in french? He's romanian, dude, pronounce his name in fucking romanian.

[@alexverdigris9939]

@@Alex-nh8nv It doesn't matter, why do you care so badly?

[@Sam-zj6mw]

You wouldn't catch Cioran poncing around on a rooftop sipping coffee smugly.

[@BetterThanFoodBookReviews]

Sam Moore I bet he would before he'd be caught wasting his time writing stupid comments on KZbin book reviews.

[@andrewbillek9209]

It's a clever idea filming this talk on the top of a roof, with the wind roaring, making what you say difficult to listen to. Didn't you listen to this recording before you put it on KZbin?

[@richardwestwood8212]

I was having that weird feeling that he was gonna fall off the roof, lolol 😂😂

[@TuanLeKreuk]

read zadie smith

[@adambaxter664]

great review. thanks a lot. check out a short history of decay.

[@farzinmoridi]

This is visual poetry, inspired by authors. A review does not do your work justice.

[@BetterThanFoodBookReviews]

Very kind words, thank you.

[@KremKatt]

I preter to call him "Emile Jimmy See-oh!-ran"

[@nonamefilmmaker4199]

Stop saying ‘you know’ repeatedly please

[@uttaradit2]

he reminds me of somebody famous?

[@gloriouscontent3538]

I get the joke, but get some better audio. Some people want to lazily make the joke you already did, but is no one going to talk about the sirens? Just from the titles I knew the guy was for me, and I found you from hearing about this guy.

[@Dorin322]

How to pronounce : kzbin.info/www/bejne/nnXIk2afrtR8jpI

[@benlane1267]

Are you big on sunglasses?

[@BetterThanFoodBookReviews]

+Ben Lane I have one pair of decent ones - I like seeing people's eyes though.

[@benlane1267]

+Better Than Food: Book Reviews Good. I don't want you looking shady on your reviews. Thanks for all the great content you gather more (deserving) interest in.

[@wilhelmushoffmann8054]

Disturbing quality,too bad.

[@fjames208]

De verdad, k presentación más pobre..totalmente ridículo...una perdida de tiempo, what a loss 👌🧙‍♂️🙈🦧⚰

[@hookedonafeeling100]

disgusting ;)

[@gillbeatsisback01]

on the heights of despair

[@christomek3112]

"Caution this door must be kept closed" *Opens door* Appropriate intro for a review of Cioran's work I'd say! lol