I finished reading this today. Has anyone else here read Brassilach? I thought it was pretty good. I liked how he changed style/medium every section. I don't think it's some hidden gem, however, like on anon seems to think. My favorite part was the "Reflections" section. That whole bit about turning thirty was very good and very true. I can relate to that strongly now that I'm 29. I'm going to read his chef d'œuvre next, Comme le Temps Passe
/lit/ wouldn't let me make a thread with previous thoughts by the way because my original post included the word "Fascism"...it tried to say my post was spam even though I waa offering sincere thoughts on the book...
Ok, Comme le Temps Passe is having a VERY strong start. If it can keep it up, then I understand the hype behind Brassilach. I'm getting Aurélien vibes from this (in terms of greatness).
good thread
>>24755684I wish Brasillach's works were translated into English. Do I really have to learn French to read him?
>>24757061Yes. You do. Unless 4chan wants to scrape together a year's worth of wages for me ($25k), then I'd be willing to translate his work in my free time.
>>24757075Can I perform sexual favours instead
>>24755688meds
>>24757082I'm not kidding. The original post had me mentioning fascism a few times and no matter how many time I rewrote it, it wouldn't post. Then I take out the word fascism...and it posts. It kept telling me "Our system thinks your post is spam. Please reformat it and try again."One thing I was originally trying to say was I liked how Cathérine connects Patrice and fascism to a fantasy/dream. It's something that can't exist in the real world and provides no support. Cathérine ultimately rejects Patrice, thus rejecting fascism. I imagine Brassilach saw this as symbolizing Europe/Democracy rejecting fascism.
>>24757061I had an experience like this, except we were both /pol/tards I was the brown one lel
>>24758641Cute. Story?
Someone is actively trying to derail my thread and portray readers of Brassilach as homosexuals. This is not ok.
>>24755684What's the book about?
>>24759604It's about unrequited love set against the backdrop of the interwar period during the rise of Fascism across Europe. Patrice and Cathérine meet near the end of their high school studies. She is 18; he, 20. They spend a magical month or two in the summer together where they achieve a perfect union without a carnal consumation. Patrice must then go do his mandatory year of military service. After that is over Patrice heads off to Italy to be a tutor and to learn about Italian fascism. During this time Patrice and Cathérine exchange letters and slowly drift apart. Cathérine become enamoured with the (at-first) communist François (but later fascist). Will Patrice and Cathérine reunite?The book is notable for its style where its seven chapters are written in seven different narrative styles. It nearly won the Prix Goncourt in 1939 (one of France's highest literary honors).
>>24759599He was a homosexual himself, y'know. Not so odd to assume.
>>24759823This has never been confirmed. These were spurious accusations put forth by the jealous likes of S***re, the same people who were frothing at the mouth for De G**lle to kill Brasillach.
>>24759998I thought his friends said so too. And it's a good thing.
>>24759819How difficult is the French? How do you go about reading if it isn't in your native language? Check a dictionary for each unknown word and work slowly or just try to get a sense of the story? t. Fan of Drieu la Rochelle, Celine, etc. >>24757061Notre avant-guerre was translated.
>>24760226The French is very easy if you know French. Brasillach doesn't use big words or obscure words at all lol. He's more of an idea communicator. He is able to communicate the ideas and feelings he wants his reader to feel very well and in simple terms.I would not suggest trying to read this by using a dictionary word by word if you don't know French. Learn some basic French first and then try the dictionary approach.
