L'Œuvre au noir
Writing a review for The Abyss leaves me torn since it is almost like writing a review for two different books awkwardly stuck together. The first book is structured with a clear direction with repeated examples of the absurdity of the human condition such as fear of new technology, petty interests, manipulative greed, religious zeal, resignation, etc and excellently paints a picture of the most ridiculous aspects of human nature that hold us back as a species and as a society. In the middle of
-spoilers hereunder-This is the story of Zen, a "belgian" surgeon/philosopher/alchemist in the Middle Ages - from his childhood through his european journeys and finally to his suicide - at the times of the black death and the inquisition. The book - written by Yourcenar, an author who has since then been called the last of the classic french writers - is heavy with mesmorising dialogues about the place of religion, and science in the world of men, in an era when raising such questions could
Reading a book by M. Yourcenar, a prose writer of great skill, is invariably a delight. The scope of her novels is epic, the composition is as intricate and carefully crafted as a Beethoven symphony. Here in The Abyss, the main theme of the book - the clash between the impetus of momentous historical forces and the destiny of a single human being - is introduced in the very first sentence of the book. It accompanies the reader throughout the book as an insistent motto theme. Yourcenar's prose is
Reading this book brought back memories from when I read Memoirs of Hadrian., by the same author. Being both novels biographies of sorts, the writing style is similar: precious, elegant, intricate, just as you would expect a cultured frenchmen to talk. However, whereas Memoirs is narrated by Hadrian himself, this novel has POVs, all using the third person.Finally, although both apparently tell the story of a man, what the book really is about is an era, being the Roman Empire or the Renaissance.
beautifully written historical novel, maybe one if the best ever. a story of Zenon a typical renaissance person who a bit resemble de vinchi and arasmus from roterdam in the ability to look for truth, the strong will for liberty and the believe in the ability of man. things which are easily forgotten in dark times
Marvellous...simply marvellous! The action takes place between 1510 and 1569, in Europe, mainly in Bruges and the historical reconstitution is rigorous. By that time, Flanders was a very violent place. The Reformation, the birth of modern science, the beginnings of industrialisation originated intrigues , peasant revolts and religious wars. Zeno, the alchemist, healer and philosopher hero, represents these new ideas, these new possibilities. He is one of the most "real fictional" characters I
Marguerite Yourcenar
Mass Market Paperback | Pages: 480 pages Rating: 4.07 | 3712 Users | 227 Reviews
Particularize Regarding Books L'Œuvre au noir
Title | : | L'Œuvre au noir |
Author | : | Marguerite Yourcenar |
Book Format | : | Mass Market Paperback |
Book Edition | : | Special Edition |
Pages | : | Pages: 480 pages |
Published | : | June 25th 1976 by Folio (first published May 8th 1968) |
Categories | : | Fiction. Historical. Historical Fiction. Cultural. France. Classics. European Literature. French Literature |
Interpretation Toward Books L'Œuvre au noir
En créant le personnage de Zénon, alchimiste et médecin du XVIe siècle, Marguerite Yourcenar, l'auteure des Mémoires d'Hadrien, ne raconte pas seulement le destin tragique d'un homme extraordinaire. C'est toute une époque qui revit dans son infinie richesse, comme aussi dans son âcre et brutale réalité ; un monde contrasté où s'affrontent le Moyen Age et la Renaissance, et où pointent déjà les temps modernes, monde dont Zénon est issu, mais dont peu à peu cet homme libre se dégage, et qui pour cette raison même finira par le broyer.Declare Books In Favor Of L'Œuvre au noir
Original Title: | L'Œuvre au noir |
ISBN: | 2070367983 (ISBN13: 9782070367986) |
Edition Language: | French URL http://www.gallimard.fr/Catalogue/GALLIMARD/Folio/Folio/L-OEuvre-au-Noir |
Literary Awards: | Prix Femina (1968) |
Rating Regarding Books L'Œuvre au noir
Ratings: 4.07 From 3712 Users | 227 ReviewsNotice Regarding Books L'Œuvre au noir
A monumental piece of literature. Zeno of Brugge - a doctor, alchemist, philosopher, atheist and, above all, an upright man - is an unconventional person whose thoughts, words and deeds reflect the time of religious upheaval, scientific revolution, and political turmoil (the late 16th century). I was particularly impressed by the narration of Zeno's relationship with the ailing guardian of the Franciscan monastery and the description of Zeno's suicide at the end of the book, strongly reminiscentWriting a review for The Abyss leaves me torn since it is almost like writing a review for two different books awkwardly stuck together. The first book is structured with a clear direction with repeated examples of the absurdity of the human condition such as fear of new technology, petty interests, manipulative greed, religious zeal, resignation, etc and excellently paints a picture of the most ridiculous aspects of human nature that hold us back as a species and as a society. In the middle of
-spoilers hereunder-This is the story of Zen, a "belgian" surgeon/philosopher/alchemist in the Middle Ages - from his childhood through his european journeys and finally to his suicide - at the times of the black death and the inquisition. The book - written by Yourcenar, an author who has since then been called the last of the classic french writers - is heavy with mesmorising dialogues about the place of religion, and science in the world of men, in an era when raising such questions could
Reading a book by M. Yourcenar, a prose writer of great skill, is invariably a delight. The scope of her novels is epic, the composition is as intricate and carefully crafted as a Beethoven symphony. Here in The Abyss, the main theme of the book - the clash between the impetus of momentous historical forces and the destiny of a single human being - is introduced in the very first sentence of the book. It accompanies the reader throughout the book as an insistent motto theme. Yourcenar's prose is
Reading this book brought back memories from when I read Memoirs of Hadrian., by the same author. Being both novels biographies of sorts, the writing style is similar: precious, elegant, intricate, just as you would expect a cultured frenchmen to talk. However, whereas Memoirs is narrated by Hadrian himself, this novel has POVs, all using the third person.Finally, although both apparently tell the story of a man, what the book really is about is an era, being the Roman Empire or the Renaissance.
beautifully written historical novel, maybe one if the best ever. a story of Zenon a typical renaissance person who a bit resemble de vinchi and arasmus from roterdam in the ability to look for truth, the strong will for liberty and the believe in the ability of man. things which are easily forgotten in dark times
Marvellous...simply marvellous! The action takes place between 1510 and 1569, in Europe, mainly in Bruges and the historical reconstitution is rigorous. By that time, Flanders was a very violent place. The Reformation, the birth of modern science, the beginnings of industrialisation originated intrigues , peasant revolts and religious wars. Zeno, the alchemist, healer and philosopher hero, represents these new ideas, these new possibilities. He is one of the most "real fictional" characters I
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