Some Thoughts on The Writing of Annie Ernaux

[@FiReadsBooks]

I have quite a few Annie Ernaux books in my TBR pile. You’ve inspired me to make a start. I really like how you’ve read and discussed her writing - it’s so interesting and real in what feels like an increasingly ‘unreal’ world.

[@LifeLessonsFromBooks]

Yes make a start and please share what you think. You may have entirely different opinions about them.

[@thelefthandedreader6632]

What a cool idea to take a deep dive into Ernaux’s work, back to back. I like that idea. I’ve read Happening (my favorite) and The Young Man. But yes, I would like to read more, closer to together. I’m like you, Helen. I’ve been journaling off and on for decades & have my journals since the early 2000s. And I too cannot go back and look at them. It’s really wonderful to journal. I can sometimes work things out by freely expressing my feelings privately. The visceral act of writing is helpful.

[@LifeLessonsFromBooks]

Thank you for sharing your thoughts here. Always appreciated. Ernaux made me sit up and think long and hard. I felt bad for not wanting to finish one of her books - the full diary. However I guess people resolve their issues in different ways. My journals like yours are simply, for my eyes only. I cringe to think what I have written in them.

[@thelefthandedreader6632]

@@LifeLessonsFromBooks , I feel the same way!

[@DefaultName-nt7tk]

I think if you lked the supermarket snippets, you might enjoy "The Cost of Living" by Deborah Levy. Have you read it? I always enjoy your reviews😊. Thank you for sharing these books, I was not familiar with.❤

[@LifeLessonsFromBooks]

Thank you 🙏😊. I haven’t heard of that book but that author rings a bell🤔

[@maggcia8089]

I love both Annie Ernaux and Deborah Levy. Levy's fiction I've gone back to many times - Swimming Home, Hot Milk - and her introspective non-fiction is even better. I haven't read one in a while. Thanks for the reminder, DefaultName!

[@joycelatham6974]

Interesting. ( I left a comment on “ Ignorance” by Kundera on another video) but back to this discussion. I think Journals are not to be shared,at least that’s how I write them, and I don’t re-read them. I often think I should burn them in case I leave this world one day! They are a way to talk to myself, give me clarity on my thoughts, help me separate the noise from what’s really going on. I was given my grandmothers diary, and it was only a recording of events, no thoughts or emotions. Journals can be written in many ways. I personally think…. Some things are meant to be kept to yourself. As far as social media goes, I’m not sure what you mean by “ more real”. I choose to follow people who inspire me, such as yourself. I’ve learnt not to share anything on social media that I do not want an opinion on, because you are sure to get it. It really annoys me when young people produce memoirs . Really??? You think you have something to say… I’d be cautious about that 🤣. Anyhow, that’s my thoughts. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on these books. Joyce 🇨🇦

[@LifeLessonsFromBooks]

Thanks again Joyce, always appreciate your comments and viewpoints here. Yeah you’re right. I didn’t explain “being open on social media”. I phrased it incorrectly. After all, what’s true and what’s not there? We live in a world where we filter aspects of our online lives to present a fake picture of our lives. Meanwhile the journal presents the “full frontal” of our thoughts on show and all of a sudden, it feels too raw, too much, too honest, too real. Then what I’m saying is “do I prefer what is not real because then I have to face some facts about myself?” 🤔 Don’t know. I do like the idea of the journal burning. I often wonder what would become of mine when I die. Volumes of whinges, whines and scribblings about my weight, diet plans, book outlines and writing about my job. Boring as anything. Awwww thank you about saying that I’m inspiring. That’s so lovely and appreciated. I’m just muddling through life. Re memoirs of young people yeah I don’t get that either. 🤣

[@reaganwiles_art]

If you could write a book about your musings regarding those questions you are asking about voyeurism and the difference between social media and the written word, I think you would have an interesting book and one that would have an audience. Not that it would be easy to do, but somebody's going to write it, if they haven't already. It won't be I.

[@LifeLessonsFromBooks]

Undoubtedly it would be interesting if not, more of a philosophical argument back and forth. My pontifications are just that. Others may have different views for sure. I don’t think I’d write anything like this although the idea to write something in a novelised format that brings up these questions for discussion and debate interests me more. Eg. Discussions in book clubs. Okay this has given me another idea. Thank you. Maybe I can have a book by Ernaux as part of my book club. Let’s see what others think when I pose that question…. Thanks for watching and sharing your thoughts. Always appreciated!!