I found this novel both exasperating and rewarding. It is the ultimate in self-reflexive, self-aware, postmodernist writing. I do not want to perpetuate that further by writing in a labarynthine, periphrastic style(heaven forfend!), in an attempt at a further layer of self-reflective exegesis, but just to "bulletpoint" some main themes/concerns:
1.TIME: it is contrapuntal(or an attempt thereat) and circular, traipsing(it FEELS like traipsing!) back and forth laboriously, BETWEEN times- in a vain attempt of the narrator, Jacques Revel, to catch up on himself and his year in this alien town, Bleston.
Fantastic to know that through my blog one other person has read this extraordinary book! Watch this space for a fuller response to Decayetude's commentary...
#1 by decayetude on July 8, 2012 - 7:35 pm
Thanks for re-blogging, Cath; first time any post appeared on anyone else’s blog!; thanks so much. Steve
#2 by dianajhale on July 9, 2012 - 11:00 am
I may have to investigate this book too!
#3 by decayetude on July 9, 2012 - 1:47 pm
You might , Diana lol; I notice u are interested in psychogeography; i am particuarly intrigued by what deserted landscapes/buildings say about our INNER selves; my blog Deyaetude explores that. Sebald does it the most exquisitely:)Steve