Oh ! That book is such a delight to read ! Historical prose poems. Curiously though, for a book about biographies, about the depiction of characters in History or literature, I was mostly taken by the descriptions of place, historical environment it contained. You know, I’ve not read it yet, but I have a book by a Spanish author : Javier Marías, “Vies écrites”, that, if I understood correctly, give fictional accounts of the lives of several writers. I’ve just realized it must be influenced by “Vies ordinaires”, especially considering Borges passed on Schwob to Spanish readers. (Your French pronunciation is excellent, btw).
Amazing little book, isn't it? 😃 Schwob is as great as he is underrated (at least in Latin America and the US). Love your description: "historical prose poems." Exactly! And you're absolutely right about the sense of place; he was great at conveying that aspect of narrative. A million thanks for pointing out Javier Marías' book! I had not heard of it, but it is definitely a "sister text" to Vies imaginaires and Borges' Historia universal de la infamia. I'm definitely going to check it out. Thank you so much for your kind words, my friend! Best compliment ever. Have a fantastic day, and happy reading!
Thank you for introducing a great author readers like me are not familiar with. In fact, I always looked forward to your video for such insights. You gave me a precious read when you introduced that Mexican gem The Underdogs, for instance. Now I am going to try Marcel Shwob. .. ❤
I'm so happy to hear that, Fazal! 😃 I enjoy talking about the renowned classics as much as the next guy, but there's just something about exploring those excellent books that seem to be written for the happy few. The Underdogs and Imaginary Lives are great examples. Hope you enjoy Schwob! His other books are wonderful too. Have a fantastic day, my friend, and thank you for stopping by!
La historia Ficcion de Marcel Schowb narra la historia de aquello que pudo haber sido, crea unas Ucronias que muestran una realidad que existen en nuestra mente de los personajes historicos, aplicable tambien a nuestras vidas de simples mortales, me pregunto que hubiera pasado si le hubiera perdido el miedo a la niña que me gustaba en la primaria, en fin, estoy divagando, saludos, no entiendo nada de ingles pero si lei vidas imaginarias.🖐🖐👀🦆🐦🐧
¡Mil gracias por la visita, Arturo! 😃 Me encantó Vidas imaginarias, tanto en español como en inglés. Me fascina esta idea que mencionás, de lo que pudo haber sido. Siempre pienso, como Borges, que tal vez todos esos senderos que se bifurcan se materializan en realidades paralelas. Sería interesante (y/o aterrador) encontrarse con la persona que seríamos si hubiésemos tomado aquel otro camino. ¡Muchos saludos nuevamente, amigo!
Hello Donald! 😃 It's such a pleasure to have introduced you to this amazing author. I wonder why he doesn't get more attention. His books have been translated into English and Spanish, but still, many readers have yet to discover him. I would never have heard of him had it not been for Borges, because he is not mentioned in the histories of literature. As Borges pointed out: an author for the happy few. Thank you so much for watching and commenting, my friend, and have an excellent day!
I agree with you 100%! The translator, Chris Clarke, addresses this in his afterword. He says, "Out of necessity, Borges is the starting point, and any writer or thinker to have fueled Borges's passions and informed his work-be it Schwob, Alfonso Reyes, Victoria Ocampo, or Fritz Mauthner-is generally seen through the distemporal lens of his or her association with Borges." And he adds that for the most part, Schwob "has been relegated to the role of an anecdotal precursor, just another link in a chain: Plutarch, Schwob, Borges, Bolaño." I believe this is also the case in Latin America, though maybe to a lesser degree than in North America, due to the fact that France has been our (I'm speaking as an Argentine now) cultural model from the beginning. By the way: more to come on Borges. Tomorrow. 😃
The other Marcel! 😃 I forgot to mention Double Heart, which also sounds very interesting, but I haven't read it. A few years ago, I did a translation of The Children's Crusade (just for fun, just for me). It's wonderful how translation gives you a great proximity to the author. It's like reading². Have an amazing day, my friend!
Oh ! That book is such a delight to read !
Historical prose poems.
Curiously though, for a book about biographies, about the depiction of characters in History or literature, I was mostly taken by the descriptions of place, historical environment it contained.
You know, I’ve not read it yet, but I have a book by a Spanish author : Javier Marías, “Vies écrites”, that, if I understood correctly, give fictional accounts of the lives of several writers. I’ve just realized it must be influenced by “Vies ordinaires”, especially considering Borges passed on Schwob to Spanish readers.
(Your French pronunciation is excellent, btw).
Amazing little book, isn't it? 😃 Schwob is as great as he is underrated (at least in Latin America and the US). Love your description: "historical prose poems." Exactly! And you're absolutely right about the sense of place; he was great at conveying that aspect of narrative.
A million thanks for pointing out Javier Marías' book! I had not heard of it, but it is definitely a "sister text" to Vies imaginaires and Borges' Historia universal de la infamia. I'm definitely going to check it out.
Thank you so much for your kind words, my friend! Best compliment ever. Have a fantastic day, and happy reading!
Thank you for introducing a great author readers like me are not familiar with. In fact, I always looked forward to your video for such insights. You gave me a precious read when you introduced that Mexican gem The Underdogs, for instance. Now I am going to try Marcel Shwob. .. ❤
I'm so happy to hear that, Fazal! 😃 I enjoy talking about the renowned classics as much as the next guy, but there's just something about exploring those excellent books that seem to be written for the happy few. The Underdogs and Imaginary Lives are great examples. Hope you enjoy Schwob! His other books are wonderful too. Have a fantastic day, my friend, and thank you for stopping by!
La historia Ficcion de Marcel Schowb narra la historia de aquello que pudo haber sido, crea unas Ucronias que muestran una realidad que existen en nuestra mente de los personajes historicos, aplicable tambien a nuestras vidas de simples mortales, me pregunto que hubiera pasado si le hubiera perdido el miedo a la niña que me gustaba en la primaria, en fin, estoy divagando, saludos, no entiendo nada de ingles pero si lei vidas imaginarias.🖐🖐👀🦆🐦🐧
¡Mil gracias por la visita, Arturo! 😃 Me encantó Vidas imaginarias, tanto en español como en inglés. Me fascina esta idea que mencionás, de lo que pudo haber sido. Siempre pienso, como Borges, que tal vez todos esos senderos que se bifurcan se materializan en realidades paralelas. Sería interesante (y/o aterrador) encontrarse con la persona que seríamos si hubiésemos tomado aquel otro camino. ¡Muchos saludos nuevamente, amigo!
I like this presentation in particular because when I looked at the title, my immediate question was "Who was Marcel Schwob?"
Hello Donald! 😃 It's such a pleasure to have introduced you to this amazing author. I wonder why he doesn't get more attention. His books have been translated into English and Spanish, but still, many readers have yet to discover him. I would never have heard of him had it not been for Borges, because he is not mentioned in the histories of literature. As Borges pointed out: an author for the happy few. Thank you so much for watching and commenting, my friend, and have an excellent day!
@@JorgesCorner I suspect it's a matter of Borges overshadowing Schwob. Maybe Borges, at least in North America, has eclipsed his proginators?
I agree with you 100%! The translator, Chris Clarke, addresses this in his afterword. He says, "Out of necessity, Borges is the starting point, and any writer or thinker to have fueled Borges's passions and informed his work-be it Schwob, Alfonso Reyes, Victoria Ocampo, or Fritz Mauthner-is generally seen through the distemporal lens of his or her association with Borges." And he adds that for the most part, Schwob "has been relegated to the role of an anecdotal precursor, just another link in a chain: Plutarch, Schwob, Borges, Bolaño." I believe this is also the case in Latin America, though maybe to a lesser degree than in North America, due to the fact that France has been our (I'm speaking as an Argentine now) cultural model from the beginning. By the way: more to come on Borges. Tomorrow. 😃
Marcel!!!!!! ;-) Book of Monelle is maybe his best (but still haven't read all of his books, but working on it).
The other Marcel! 😃 I forgot to mention Double Heart, which also sounds very interesting, but I haven't read it. A few years ago, I did a translation of The Children's Crusade (just for fun, just for me). It's wonderful how translation gives you a great proximity to the author. It's like reading². Have an amazing day, my friend!