The 6 books that made me study literature

[@alattemorning]

This video is very peaceful and as a fellow bookworm I really enjoyed how you talked about books that are clearly important in your life!

[@strange.lucidity]

[@evelynke5377]

same feeling

[@tobyg5318]

This is your first video I’ve ever seen. I hope to have a relationship with literature akin to yours. I’m learning to read again by reading for meaning and not just to consume the words on the page. I’m just starting, but you are inspiring to me. Thank you

[@strange.lucidity]

So happy to hear that. In a way I'm also feeling like I'm just starting and learning how to slow down. It might always feel like that... :-) All the best on your journey!

[@lizziebkennedy7505]

I lecture on literature in college in Australia. I cannot tell you how excited it makes me to hear your journey and perspective. May it exceed your dreams!

[@strange.lucidity]

Oh wow how lovely to have you here! Thank you for this kind comment

[@JeffRebornNow]

I think the novel peaked everywhere -- Russia, England, France -- with the great 19th century novelists. Proust was just one of many. Remember, there were no movies; almost all artistic activity was focused on novels or plays. The public's attention was not divided.

[@marcelinazeligowska2733]

This feels like a hidden gem and so genuine. I would love to talk about books to you or join your bookclub.

[@strange.lucidity]

Oh wow thank you so much :')

[@Bentoush]

I share your love for Proust so deeply it forced me to comment for the first time in my life: I truly, truly wish for you to read the German version translated by Eva Rechel-Mertens if you can't find a French one anytime soon! I am currently abroad and I bought the same English edition you have and it feels a lot more... empty. I usually prefer English over German translations if I don't have enough access to the original language but this German translation struck so much more of a chord with me that I think it's definitely worth a re-read. Secondly, there is a really beautiful graphic novel adaptation by Stéphane Heuet that you might enjoy as well. I usually recommend it to people who are a little scared to dive into the books and I've converted everyone to liking Proust so far. But having read the book it's lovely nonetheless and the visual support made it a lot easier for me to read with my mediocre French. PS: Thanks for bumping up Faust in my reading list, I've been procrastinating the read 🤭

[@strange.lucidity]

Thank you for this thoughtful comment! I'll get many translations in the future I'm sure... and now I know where to start. Thanks a lot. And thank you for loving Proust alongside with me. I don't know what he did... But it moves me more deeply than anything before ❤

[@cyrineh5602]

Wow i wish to take such a decision myself ! Studying literature in Vienna ... sounds like a dream

[@strange.lucidity]

You can... :-) It was definitely a dream for me too for a long time!

[@toomi7398]

I'm glad the algorithm helped me discover your channel, I think you deserve a lot more subscribers. Your energy and love for books is inspiring. I would love to return to education for the cerebral stimulation around culture, wish you luck on your studies!

[@strange.lucidity]

Thank you so much

[@Joma93]

Thank you for reminder no.744 (and counting) that I MUST read Faust. I've scoured the wiki, reviewed translations, yet still it seems I need it thrown in my face 😅 I'll follow your story as if my own and do my duty in respect to Goethe. I've seen Kaufmann and Greenberg's translations highly recommended but would love any words you have on the topic (future video?). As someone 10+ years removed from formal education, and flirting with a dream of returning, your decision to pursue literature after similar circumstances is rejuvenating. Though, I fear I would lose the passion needed to make it through. I like chewing on text... slowly; carrying the words, thoughts, scenes in my subconscious and returning to them in different psychological states. I hope any similar thoughts for you may pass. I'll be here cheering you on to the last!

[@strange.lucidity]

Thank you so much for this lovely comment. Faust is SO SO worth it. I will for sure make videos about it in the future, trying to make it more digestable as I've spent a lot of time with the text by now. If you need it thrown in your face, maybe watch my next video coming out on Sunday. I'm doing a give-away that might interest you... 👀 As for translations, the David Luke one is an absolute masterpiece. And as someone who understands German, this translation is giving me goosebumps . And I completely understand your worries about going back to studying. I have many of the same. I'm not a fast reader, I haven't read tons of books, I want to take my time... But I'm gonna give it a try. Then, at least I know... And I'm documenting my experience with Uni here because before I decided to start my studies, I looked up everything I could to find out whether it would be for me. I hope future content can help you to make such a decision. Because I flirted for a long time too :-)

[@SirRobinDeSway]

The way you got your copy of Faust is a central metaphor in your life so far. And what does it teach you? Never let impossible “coincidences” slip by you. The unexamined “big” coincidence NEEDS to be examined. As my life…longer than yours….has gone along I have found myself more and more losing faith in the concept of coincidence….

[@strange.lucidity]

Thank you for this. I wish you all the best for your future, no matter what you decide to believe in ❤

[@tvark75]

Here, in Eastern Europe, we are so busy with politics and living, that we forget these treasures, what literature and intellectual beauty can give us. Thank you for help me to remember these treasures.

[@strange.lucidity]

Thank you for this wonderful comment and all the best to you ❤

[@materiagrix]

I loved seeing Faust in this collection, I definitely read it too early too. Goethe was such a versatile writer! He’s always inspired me to write in multiple genres. Good luck with your studies!

[@strange.lucidity]

Thank you so much. I wholeheartedly agree with you about Goethe.

[@roguesodyssey]

I love hearing about the books that impacted people. :) Thanks for sharing and good luck in Vienna!

[@strange.lucidity]

Thank you! :-)

[@Timiscooking]

Love your channel Maria, love to see that you keep posting videos about things you love! Thanks for doing that, I enjoy watching them. :)

[@xSakixHarukax]

Your passion for literature is so infectious! I loved listening to you talk about these 6 books, even more so because I've never read any of them (although I do own a collection of Henry David Thoreau that I've yet to get to). Thank you for sharing these and I hope you enjoy your time studying in Vienna ^^ I'm looking forward to your future content now that I've found you.

[@strange.lucidity]

Oh! Thank you so much for this lovely comment. And welcome

[@ti1286]

the Prust quote made me cry immediately. It’s just that I have the same feeling when my mother reads to me…he’sput it so beautifully in words. It made me decide that I need to record her voice her reading to me next time we meet.

[@strange.lucidity]

Oh wow thank you so much for sharing. Beautiful. I also always tear up when I read that passage. The power of Proust...

[@abalint8097]

Your love for reading, so beautiful. I share it too. And you are right about Goethe being better in German. I read it in English and it was a decent book but, as I am learning German now, reading just the first page in German is 1000x better.

[@mitrikoudsi8060]

I so appreciate how you discuss books concisely while providing enough information for to have something to go on. Thank you.

[@strange.lucidity]

Thank you 🙏

[@LaughingStockfarm1]

Such a lovely vlog, so chill. I love that you read brief excerpts of the works. I look forward to future postings. 😊

[@strange.lucidity]

Thank you for being here

[@Kjt853]

Pardon my pedantry, but the author of “Walden” stated that his last name should be pronounced to rhyme with “furrow.” He occasionally made a pun on his name. When hired to survey land, he would promise his employer that he would do a “thorough - [the actual pronunciation]- job.”

[@strange.lucidity]

I had no idea... Thanks for sharing :-)

[@ZorbaPress]

Thank the gods for all the lovers of great books! ... For an English-language translation of Faust, I want to recommend the translation of Martin Greenberg, the updated edition with an introduction by W. Daniel Wilson.

[@strange.lucidity]

Thank you! I was actually just looking into translations yesterday since I'd love to make a video about Faust.

[@LaughingStockfarm1]

Thank you for this recommendation!

[@jackintheworld6639]

Literature definitely has her tender, dangerous arms around your heart. She's whispering: write, write, write. In the wondrous words of a commentator below - "Thanks for sharing your qualities." Radiant thoughts, lovely qualities.

[@strange.lucidity]

Thank you so much for this beautiful comment!

[@aw-g]

Thank you for these recommendations! you're so lovely, best of luck in your new career! i read the pledge for Dürrenmatt and really loved it!

[@evamatlach1986]

Literaturstudium wäre mein Traum! 💚 freu mich, dass ich deinen Kanal gefunden habe und dich auf diesem Weg begleiten zu dürfen! Schönes, entspanntes Video. 🌸

[@strange.lucidity]

Vielen Dank für diesen lieben Kommentar

[@daisyd581]

I have been meaning to read some of the books you mentioned for a long time now. This video definitely inspired to do it at the earliest. 🙂 And also loved the video as a whole. It felt more natural, like a chat. It was great.

[@strange.lucidity]

Ow thank you for this lovely comment

[@Farmynator]

So awesome that you go after your passions. I hope to see your own writings in a bookstore one day, may it be so! And i also have Faust on my to read list, I'm intrigued by the plot. So far my favorite books are The Merchant of Venice (Shakespeare) and The Prince (Machiavelli). If you enjoy philosophy i think you would really enjoy Cicero.

[@strange.lucidity]

Oh wow thank you for this comment and the great recommendations! Welcome

[@angelacraw2907]

A beautiful video. Thank you for sharing your influences. Funny enough I was reading a love sonnet book only yesterday that included both Shakespear sonnets you spoke about! I loved sonnet 30, but I remember the one you read. I have recently finished A La Research du Temps Perdu and loved Proust's project. However it is his first volume I loved so much. I'm glad you loved it too. It is just so beautiful and so far apart from anything else I have read. I tried it in the French, but my language skills were not quite up to it. Although I could see that it is amazing in the original language. Good luck with your degree.

[@strange.lucidity]

Thank you so much for leaving this lovely comment here

[@__loveball]

i am excited to have found this channel, i am interested in everything you listed, and your story about how you got Goethe`s Faust was so funny!!

[@strange.lucidity]

Aw thanks for this lovely comment and a warm welcome :-)

[@painbow6528]

This was the best ASMR video I've ever watched. Please make more videos about books where you read from them.

[@strange.lucidity]

Haha yey.

[@angelinajessani8666]

Great video, I read The visit today, it really was quite fascinating with all the painful realities convoluted in that humor. I am really looking forward to more recommendations.

[@strange.lucidity]

Oh yey! I'm so glad you read it and liked it. That's lovely

[@martindurkin8837]

You have such a serene nature and a very calming voice. My German is not as good as it used to be but I am going to attempt The Visit in the German print. Sounds interesting.

[@strange.lucidity]

Thank you! And lovely about attempting it in German! I'm curious how you'll like it :-)

[@lauragranda-mateu5810]

really enjoyed watching this (and this channel for first time), whilst having a delicious and extremely slow breakfast… it has inspired me and filled me with energy. Made me reflect on my love for languages and european literature…

[@strange.lucidity]

Ow I'm so happy to hear that

[@cesarvialpado]

so calming to listen to you! defintely love the atmosphere of the video

[@strange.lucidity]

Thank you 🙏

[@gocoastal1988]

This is a solid list! Happy reading.

[@strange.lucidity]

Thanks!

[@thomasceneri867]

It’s so wonderful that you’re going to school and studying literature! I have a master’s degree in literature and would go back and get my PhD if I could. Good for you!❤

[@strange.lucidity]

Amazing! Thank you for the encouragement ❤

[@Allie_Rose]

I don’t know if you’ve given any thought on becoming a literature professor or instructor, but I think you would be good at that. Great video.

[@strange.lucidity]

Oh wow this comment means a lot.

[@Allie_Rose]

@@strange.lucidity you’re welcome!

[@skosharocks1354]

I came across this video yesterday and just wanted to let you know that I picked up Shakespeare's Sonnets at the library today! So glad I watched your video. All the best to you in your studies!

[@strange.lucidity]

Wow I'm glad to hear that. Amazing ❤

[@paulservini4976]

Your video was calm and yet exuded enthusiasm. And such wonderful books you talk about. I loved Der Besuch der alten Dame which I first read some 40 years ago. Now that I'm retired, I have so much time to read some really life changing books. Hope you enjoy your studies.

[@strange.lucidity]

Aw lovely to hear that there's other lovers of Dürrenmatt out there. Thank you for this lovely comment. I appreciate it 🙏

[@catherinepatterson4720]

Thank you. I found it interesting hearing the books that have lead you to study literature. As a result of your vlog, I am inspired to read, ‘Walden’. I know you made a comment that you aren’t good at maths (in this case, reading the Roman numeral 17 and Roman numerals can be tricky to read at the best of times), but how amazing that you can speak and read in more than one language (and fluently). That, to me, is clever. Look forward to following your journey studying literature 📚

[@strange.lucidity]

Thank you for this lovely comment! I'm curious what you'll think of Walden... :-) Haha yes... maybe you're right. We all have different gifts, don't we :D

[@catherinepatterson4720]

@@strange.lucidity Yes, we all have different gifts 🙂I ordered Walden’s book online after watching your vlog. I’ll try my best to remember to come back to this particular vlog and comment to let you know what I thought of the book🦋🌳🏡

[@ThoughtReset-rn1vi]

I loved your authentic exposition. Thank you very much.

[@strange.lucidity]

Thank you! That means a lot to me 🙂

[@read_with_chloe]

Thank you for the book recommendations, a fantastic video and good luck with starting your studies💕

[@strange.lucidity]

Thank you so much!

[@simonschreyer4559]

Excellent choices! Good luck with your studies. When in Vienna, check out the bookshop/café PHIL in Gumpendorferstraße and Shakespeare&Company.

[@strange.lucidity]

Thank you so much ❤ I know and love both of them!

[@imaineesfih1848]

Thank you for sharing your love of Books. Your Channel is wonderful. I just discovered it Yesterday. I suscribed and I will go and watch all of your vidéos. You have such a soft calming voice. I love listening to you. ❤

[@filipsmit5497]

Felt touched by you and your intimate connection with books. First, Faust literally thrown at you in the bookshop, and later leaping at you from your bookshelf -through a cloud of LSD- shouting, ‘Do you remember loving me?’ Ha! I read Faust when in high school. Thought I could do it only in one way: at night under candlelight and reading it from a yellowed second hand book in the Gothic script. Didn’t understand a thing, but loved it. In passing you mentioned that you speak Dutch. Good of you! I’m from Holland. Just saying. Be well ~ Filip

[@strange.lucidity]

Haha aww thank you so much for this comment

[@weenyboyscott6222]

You are also "a beautiful thing that I want to explore"; so nicely put.

[@princesssimplicity5172]

I loved this video. I loved your commentary and stories.

[@strange.lucidity]

Thank you

[@flossredbass1]

Thank you ,your enthusiasm has made me order your first choice

[@strange.lucidity]

Ow yeah! :-)

[@thomassimms2574]

Nicely done. Thanks for sharing. I read Walden when I was 15, and it helped me feel better about feeling estranged from society, even though I was actually popular. I just felt people tended to act weird in groups, especially adolescents. Now I am a high school teacher.

[@strange.lucidity]

Lovely! Thanks for sharing!

[@user-hj7ld4ff7p]

Nice to see Thoreau coming back from afar. The locals in Concord looked at him askance, and at his book hardly at all. I grew up a half hour's river skate from town. A pile of stones marks the site of his little house, and you were meant to add to it if you approved of Thoreau. My father was a giant and would heave the largest stone from the pile far into the forest, then go swim in the pond, even if it snowed. While he swam I would recover the stone and return it to the pile. Cold war.

[@smkh2890]

"I grew up a half hour's river skate from town" a unique measure of distance!

[@rufusjones8415]

A diverse selection of writers and mediums. As somebody keen on drama, it was refreshing to see that a play had such a profound influence on you. One of my favourite plays which I highly recommend is 'God of Carnage' by Yasmina Reza. Best of luck in Vienna.

[@strange.lucidity]

Thank you so much for leaving your thoughts here :-)

[@NoeticEidetics]

Great list. I recently acquired the NYRB paperback of Swann’s Way, as well as OWC Faust 1 & 2.

[@strange.lucidity]

Thanks. Oh what excellent choices!

[@WINGTV9]

One of my favorite short stories I came across in John Pelan's THE CENTURY'S BEST HORROR FICTION Vol. 2. I wouldn't really call it a horror story, but it is a sort of science fiction, and that story is "I Am Nothing" by Eric Frank Russell. I can't vouch for Russell's other fiction, but this story is just priceless.... Thank you for your delightful video, by the way.

[@strange.lucidity]

Thank you for this wonderful comment!

[@LeonardoFranklin30]

This is one of the best videos I ever encountered on this platform honestly it is like meditation watching this thank you from India.

[@kubuprem]

Very glad to introduce me.I am professor of English literature.I am from India.I love teaching literature.i love teaching European and Latin American literature.I l love teaching poets like Wordsworth and Keats .

[@strange.lucidity]

Welcome :-)

[@LiteraryGladiators]

I am so glad that I came across your channel and I am surprised that I did not see it sooner. I love how immersed you are with your subject matter and the works that you covered and how you covered them are just amazing! I have read The Visit, Faust, and Shakespeare's Sonnets and discussed the three on my channel. The Visit is probably my favorite of the three, because it was something that I thought a lot about and how it is reflective of the flaws within human nature. Claire has definitely become vain and a cruel woman, but her actions do speak truth to the way that society operates and by all means a society of flawed individuals. The response of the media really stuck out and is a demonstration about how much of a show society really happens to be. While Faust did not stick with me as much, I am familiar with the concept and how it is played out. I really like Shakespeare's sonnets on the basis that Shakespeare was best as a writer and his way of crafting words rather than his storytelling. I would like to revisit Walden by Henry David Thoreau, for I read it for college and want to refamiliarize myself with his writing and his way of thinking. Thoreau was a champion of independent thinking and a college instructor of mine actually has a picture of Thoreau as his icon when signing onto his computer. Speaking of college instructors, I, too, took a Shakespeare class and my instructor is a contributor and panelist on my channel. We went over the romances, or the later plays, as well as The Two Gentlemen of Verona. I am planning to reread Hamlet for a Roundtable Read on my channel. You really made me inclined to look into Proust and in particular In Search of Lost Time. I have heard different things about him and really need to pick him up at some point. I would want the entire collection, though. I am glad that you are pursuing a literature degree and wish you all the best with your pursuit. I hope you are able to obtain a job where you can fulfill your dreams and work with literature in any which way your heart desires. Thank you for sharing and I will watch more videos from your channel! -Josh

[@strange.lucidity]

Thank you so much for this lovely comment and the encouragement. I enjoyed reading it! I'm glad you're here. All the best to you too Josh!

[@LiteraryGladiators]

It's my pleasure! I am looking forward to seeing what kinds of videos you have in store!

[@loriansaceanu]

Hello! Comparative literature is when you read the books in the language they were written. So you have to read Proust in French, Shakespeare in Englsih and so on. Try to find the best books of universal literature and read them. I will give you some examples: Cervantes - Don Quijote de la Mancha, Dante - Divina Comedia, Shakespeare's plays, Ibsen's theater etc. Actually I was learning languages only to read these books on the language they were written. Best regards!

[@strange.lucidity]

Yes, I know and that's also what I'm aiming to do mostly :-)

[@ascensionvaldes1412]

wow, how interesting!!!!

[@marygarrapa3537]

Thank you for reminding me of a beautiful experience. My mother took me to the theatre in London, where we lived, when I was 12 , to see a performance of "the visit" which must be the book you mention. It was beautifully actef by Alfred Lunt and Lynne Fonteyne. It was wonderful and my real love for the theatre.

[@strange.lucidity]

Ow this sounds amazing. Happy to have triggered this memory

[@pushniqa]

This is very interesting, listening to you explain why you love this books that now brought you to where you are is inspiring. I hope your journey goes well

[@strange.lucidity]

Thank you

[@pendoring282]

I enjoyed this so much!

[@strange.lucidity]

Thank you :-)

[@michaelmayo]

You lucky dog. Good luck, and yowsa to your callout to Durrenmatt. The most tremendous unknown writer. Hope more people check him out because of you.

[@lynnware8810]

I loved listening to you. It was almost therapeutic. I too enjoy and love literature. I have been meaning to read 'Faust' for a long time. And curious to try 'In Search of Lost Time'. I loved the Shakespeare sonnet that you read - I had not heard of it before. I know you will find 'Hamlet' incredible. It is my favourite Shakespeare play. One recommendation from me: 'The Scarlet and the Black" by Stendhal - French. It really absorbed me. Best wishes as you set out on your Literary voyage. 😊❤

[@strange.lucidity]

Thank you so much for this lovely comment! I much appreciate your words and recommendations :-) All the best ❤

[@luismanuelclaps7761]

Lovely close up on the Freark Dam book

[@petersantospago1966]

You're very interesting and intelligent... This was a pleasant vid to watch...I love Walden...I live quite close to Walden pond... It's not very big, but it's very peaceful in the summer... This can walk around the pound in less than an hour... The water is very clean and refreshing... Sadly you do hear the trains go by and it's obnoxious... Then when you leave the pond you can drive a short way into Concord and do some great sightseeing... It is a very nice summer day trip....👍

[@strange.lucidity]

Thank you for this comment, it made me smile :-) What a dream to live near Walden Pond. I would love to go there one day and project all my romantic thoughts and feelings onto the place... To read Thoreau next to the water... Maybe one day! I'm so happy to have someone listen to my video from way over there though... Greetings from Europe

[@petersantospago1966]

@@strange.lucidity you'll get there someday 👍

[@anezkamunzarova9459]

Thank you very much, I study German and German literature and this was so great video ❤

[@strange.lucidity]

Oh yey ❤

[@patrickgleason2066]

Very engaging stories of a great love of literature, thank you.

[@strange.lucidity]

Thank you!

[@corrupt1238]

Love your passion. I got your channel on recommendation. Good luck with your studies, and I hope it meets your expectations.

[@strange.lucidity]

Thank you so much :-) And welcome

[@battybibliophile-Clare]

I too love Thoreau. I love the variety of the books that have influenced you. I have tried to read Proust several times, but haven't got past the first few volumes. I think I will do it next year and make it my year long project. That way I can read it and some supplementary material eg a biography and some criticism. This year my project is reading the works of Shakespeare in chronological order of composition. It is interesting that although Shakespeare was English, his first translators and performers outside of England were the Germans in the early 17th century and reaching a flurry of interest in the 18th. Maybe it is a small recompense for the huge amount of German music that has influenced Britain. I have subscribed to your videos now.

[@strange.lucidity]

Cool! I applaud you for reading Shakespeare in chronological order. I'd love to do that one day too. Thanks a lot for sharing ❤

[@battybibliophile-Clare]

@@strange.lucidity I'm loving your channel, and I only found it yesterday.

[@weenyboyscott6222]

You are gonna j'adore diving into and delving further amongst Shakespeare, his outpourings are a lifetime's beholding of joy for all of us, and he, primarily, is the reason I feel blessed that English is my language.

[@Farmynator]

YES. his sonnets are excellent.

[@strange.lucidity]

Yeah I'm sure you're right. He's wonderfully deep. Inexhaustible.

[@pinchmitra]

Best wishes in your studies. I love Shakespeare, Thoreau and Proust, so I'm going to have to chase down your other favorites. First novel I read was Slaughterhouse 5 (that wasn't assigned to me in school). Another important book is The Hobbit, which as a teenager I read in a day, in a feat of reading. I have since gone through many authors and books, not sure what my other 4 would be. I really liked New York Trilogy by Paul Auster. I liked Hemingway and Philip Roth for a time. Murakami is a favorite. Been reading the poems of Mary Oliver lately. I really like the travel books of Bill Porter in China and his translations of Chinese poetry. Really appreciate your passion for literature, best wishes.

[@strange.lucidity]

Thank you a lot for sharing all that. I enjoyed hearing the books that are meaningful to you. Many people who love Thoreau say Mary Oliver is great... I think I should check her out soon :-) All the best to you too!

[@nedludd7622]

Vonnegut wrote many wonderful things. As you are interested in Chinese, may I suggest that you read the classics like "The Water Margin", "Jin Ping Mei"(my favorite), "Journey to the West", "Dream of the Red Chamber".

[@pinchmitra]

Thank you!@@nedludd7622

[@christopherpaul7588]

Thank you for this I need to read some Thoreau! Also In Search of Lost Time. I'm currently reading Don Quixote. I studied Spanish literature at the university and had the opportunity to read a few chapters in English and Spanish. It's an amazing novel! So funny and intelligent and innovative. My favorite book is the Savage Detectives by Roberto Bolaño. I think it's the best Spanish-language novel since 100 Years of Solitude.

[@strange.lucidity]

Thank you so much for this! I'm pretty sure Don Quixote is the first novel I'm gonna have to read for my studies... what an influential book!

[@christopherpaul7588]

@@strange.lucidity You're welcome! I'm sure you'll love it! It's considered to be the first modern novel. Happy reading! I also hope you read The Heart is a Lonely Hunter by Carson McCullers. She's an amazing writer!

[@nedludd7622]

Have you read "Fortunata y Jacinta" by Galdós?

[@christopherpaul7588]

@@nedludd7622 Noo I should read some Galdos. I haven't read anything by him. I read mostly chapters from Quixote, Golden Age poetry. Stories and poetry mostly. No long novels. I've heard it's amazing though,

[@j4BnSPUgdu]

Thank you. wonderful. I had a try with Proust some number of years back. Perhaps I wasn't in the right, receptive mind. Hearing you read it, it felt a perfect kind of beauty that I could go on listening to forever, happily. And thank you for speaking English for the sake of those of us, what is the word? shipwrecked here with this language. I fell asleep watching TV once and when I woke up everyone was starting at me. They said I was speaking German. How could they know it was German? It was probably gibberish. None of us knows German. Which is such a shame, given how closely related these languages are. Even more so with Frisian, perhaps. Fascinating that you have a book of poems, of poetry, written in Frisian. My goodness. Have a wonderful day and be well and happy.

[@strange.lucidity]

Thank you for this wonderful comment. My dream would be to bring difficult (German) literature closer to people, make it accessible, by reading, by talking about it... So your comment gave me motivation to do that. :-)

[@ocdtdc]

Really inspiring. Makes me want to read.

[@strange.lucidity]

YEY! :-)

[@androhealthnutrition]

congratulations on this ground-breaking video !! Wishing you success on this channel

[@strange.lucidity]

Thank you Michal 😭 Big hug!!

[@sententialavenda7823]

That's so cool, i'm going to study "Komparatistik" at LMU Munic in October. So excited!!

[@strange.lucidity]

Oh wow! How exciting. Are you planning on documenting your journey. We're not far apart... So I''d be curious what differences and similarities there are in our studies. In any case, wishing you all the best

[@sententialavenda7823]

@@strange.lucidity i'm so sorry, i just found your comment🤦🏻‍♀️ i'm not sure, kinda tempted but i don't quite know where to start

[@strange.lucidity]

I think that doesn't matter much :-) If you ever do upload something let me know! All the best to you ❤ @@sententialavenda7823

[@sententialavenda7823]

@@strange.lucidity thank you i'll keep you updated. All the best ❤️

[@Lisa-qt4hh]

What an interesting and relaxing video. I loved hearing your thoughts about the books :) It is so cool that you decided to go to university to study literature. What made you decide not to go to university when you came out of high school? I'm just interested because I feel like we have a way too linear idea of education and that stories like yours are important to show a different pathway you could take. I can totally see you as a university professor one day and you very much sound like an artist/poet/writer in the way you talk. How special is the book of your partner's grandfather (I am Dutch by the way so I was surprised by the mention of Frisian). It is also very precious that people in both your families love languages and literature. Was that something you talked a lot about with each other or is it more something you know about them. Have a lovely day!

[@strange.lucidity]

Thank you for your lovely comment. I'll pin it and want to answer your questions in the next Q&A. I feel it would be too much to get into here. So happy to have someone from the NL here. Welcome

[@Lisa-qt4hh]

@@strange.lucidity Thank you! Looking forward to the Q&A

[@samikshyadas.]

Subscribed! With hopes of watching more bookish content! All the best❤

[@strange.lucidity]

Thank you so much

[@nandhiniarumugam6477]

Your videos are so peaceful... And motivate me to study...

[@Lana-ou8vu]

I am Frysian too! So glad I found you 😊

[@strange.lucidity]

Oh yey ❤

[@BaileeWalsh]

this is such a beautiful video! your voice is so nice and I love hearing about books that have significant personal meaning to others :) will you be doing any videos on your courses and reading for school? good luck with your studies!!

[@strange.lucidity]

Thanks for your comment

[@celebrityauthor7942]

I first read Thoreau when I was working at a call centre. Not as idyllic as the location of your reading, but I feel the same way about it.

[@strange.lucidity]

That's great! Thanks for sharing :-)

[@helenadonorte]

I loved to hear about your relationship with Faust ❤

[@strange.lucidity]

Thanks

[@none8680]

You have such a well-developed taste in literature. How lucky you are to be able to read Goethe's works in their original form. And you know french too? Leave some languages for the rest of us. Haha I envy you but it's okay, you at least share your experiences with us. Subscribed:)

[@strange.lucidity]

Haha this comment is lovely

[@leornendeealdenglisc]

The algorithm led me to your video. Hope your studies go well.

[@strange.lucidity]

Thank you

[@kseniyasbooknook4172]

Your love for books is so true and interesting! Haven't heard many of the books you mentioned. I loved Thoreau and Proust too. Only read volume 1 and hope to make it my goal to read over the winter this year- I wish it could be my job so much!! Have you read any of the 'modern Proust'- Karl Ove Knausgaard?? I just finished his 6 books of My Struggle and loved how much he's inspired by all kinds of authors, especially Proust.

[@strange.lucidity]

Aw thanks for sharing all this

[@johnsharman7262]

Loved your relaxing approach: you seem to have all the time in the world. Have you thought of doing Best books of Eurpean literature? I'd love that. 😊

[@strange.lucidity]

Thank you for saying that. I appreciate it a lot! I would love to do a video like that. What a great idea. I feel like I have to wait a bit before making it though. I haven't read nearly enough to get a good sense of that. But I'm sure my studies will help with that :-)

[@johnsharman7262]

There are some really good European classics, and a need to go over them. Can you think of any titles that come to you offhand?

[@castelodeossos3947]

I was inspired to leave corporate business and study literature by Lawrence Durrell's 'The Alexandria Quartet'.

[@strange.lucidity]

Thanks for sharing 🙏

[@unrealnikki]

i just discovered your channel and i subscribed immediately! i like your literary taste

[@strange.lucidity]

Ohh thank you so much for this comment! Welcome

[@frogmouth]

Ich habe Die Besuch der alten Dame gelesen . Auch Goethes Faust. Thoreau , Proust, nicht . Shakespear I have loved all my life even when I understood very little of it as a teenager. It sounds so good. The Friesian author i have never heard of

[@kwm123123]

I love your video, voice and content. I wished I could drop a hit of LSD while reading Dostoevesky. I can only imagine

[@strange.lucidity]

Thanks :-)

[@gusriley9785]

SL, - congratulations on your college placement and studies, - you seem to have as Joseph Campbell, the Mythology scholar and general modern sage suggested we all do: "Follow Your Bliss" - Good luck, and wonderful sharing of your passion, regards from England, - Gus :)

[@strange.lucidity]

Thank you so much for the encouragement. What a lovely comment! All the best to you too!

[@gusriley9785]

@@strange.lucidity In that case, another J Campbell quote :) "Love what you, do what you love and you'll never work a day in your life" - he's right, I've structured my life full time music, and I wake up chomping at the bit, - keep following your passion SL, Peace, Gus :)

[@u.m.9339]

Very smart and interesting🧚🏼‍♂️🌿🐟

[@strange.lucidity]

Thanks :-)

[@Pretermit_Sound]

9:26 this is such an excellent point that I don’t think a lot of people consider. There is so much that can be “lost in translation” so to speak, because there is a certain “flavor” that various different languages and cultures adds to the world that are totally unique from one another. Great channel! Cheers from America ✌🏻🇺🇸

[@strange.lucidity]

Thank you for this

[@wlrlel]

Immer schön zu sehen, wenn sich andere auch zum Studium einer der Literaturwissenschaften entschließen (fange jetzt im WS auch mit Germanistik an, nachdem ich meine bisherige Jugend hauptsächlich damit verbracht habe, die Weltliteratur zu einem guten Teil durchzulesen😂)

[@strange.lucidity]

Wow schön! Alles Gute beim Studium. Hätt mich auch fast für Germanistik entschieden... ♥

[@johnsharman7262]

Now in European literature I can make some suggestions: Ulysses, The Man Without Qualities, In Search of Lost Time, The Outsider, Nausea, Magic Mountain, Notes From The Underground, All Quiet On The Western Front, L'Enfer, Darkness At Noon, Man's Fate, The Immoralist, At Swim Two Birds, Hunger... you can add to this list, add female authors: it's your choice. Sorry to create a lot of reading for you to do!

[@wlrlel]

Good list. But 20th century novels are a bit overrepresented...don't forget the great russian and french novels as well as the old greeks, Cervantes, Shakespeare, Dante and the german literature of 1770-1830 (also Keller, Stifter, Fontane)...

[@johnsharman7262]

Your collection would come in a History of European literature; mine is predominantly set in 20th century, because that was the most momentous century, where 2 world wars raged, we experienced Communism and Fascism, the Cold War, mass migration, technological development, going into Space, assassinations of presidents or major leaders, The Crash, the population explosion. You say the great Russian and French novels: I've included Man's Fate, Darkness at Noon, All Quiet On the Western Front, The Immoralist, Notes From the Underground, Hunger, L'Enfer; you could add War and Peace, there's also The Man Without Qualities, The Outsider, Nausea: that's French, German, Russian novels( the form I'm primarily concerned with. My list mainly comprises the modern novel form or modernism in literature. The modern classics and cult books.

[@wlrlel]

@@johnsharman7262 exactly, and there's nothing wrong with having a specific focus - in fact, everyone has it. I didn't really intended my comment to be a critic, but more to give you some recommendations.

[@tonytynan1955]

"At Swim Two Birds" first time I've noticed it any list, i have great memories of that book must reread it.

[@johnsharman7262]

Yes, because it's often overshadowed by Joyce's Ulysses, but it's more comic and fantastic. Also the 2nd World War cast a long shadow. But it deserves a place. WW2 meant too his influence ( and 2nd novel The 3rd Policemen) was weaker in world consciousness.@@tonytynan1955

[@retarazao9600]

Lovely content, soothing voice! But @18:05, don't you dare to quit in the middle of a Shakespeare's sonnet! That may bring calamity and sundry curses, milady! 😂

[@strange.lucidity]

Oh no, you're probably right. D:

[@iklodyp]

Glad I stumbled upon your channel - your 676th subscriber:)

[@strange.lucidity]

Ow yey! Warm welcome :-)

[@carlosrojas8175]

I'm from Perú and i love Dürrenmatt's books! Saludos!

[@normanleach5427]

Thoreau spoke of being a philosopher...He use to borrow Emerson's eastern texts which implies an ontological approach to Life.

[@sanssucreajoute6554]

J'adore ta vidéo , mon livre préféré est le rouge et le noir de Stendhal, je veux aussi lire Proust !!

[@strange.lucidity]

🙏

[@TheOldMundane]

Wonderful video. I enjoyed your passion and your voice and am excited to follow your journey. One critique, if I may. The added sound effect around 1:47 was very disrupting of the overall pleasant and relaxing vibe. I almost closed the video at that point for fear of more of the same, but I’m thankful that I stuck it out.

[@strange.lucidity]

Thank you so much!

[@TheOldMundane]

@strange.lucidity I wouldn't worry about it, I just wanted to let you know that your personality, aesthetic, and ideas are great! No need to spice things up with sound effects. Have a great day.