Blogs

“I’m going to read this book” (92)   This is a line I muttered to myself often while reading this book, almost as a chant to regain the energy to continue on even after cringing from disturbing line after disturbing line. That said, this was still one of the most enjoyable reads in my opinion… oddly […] read full post >>

The journey from youth to adulthood, from innocence to knowledge is prevalent throughout this book. The emotional breakthroughs of the protagonists are as unsettling as they are intriguing, especially his feelings contradicting societal norms as he has inappropriate feelings for his mother. Set in an Italian summer, Agostino explores his sexuality by trying to navigate […] read full post >>

Hello again. I’m back to comment on this week’s book, Agostino by Alberto Moravia. This was probably my favourite book that I’ve read thus far in the course. I found it very easy to follow, especially compared to last week’s book, Shrouded Woman by Bombal. However, several parts made me feel uneasy, specifically, how Agostino’s […] read full post >>

Entering Carmen Laforet’s “Nada,” one goes on a moving adventure with Andrea, a character whose story goes beyond fiction to touch our humanity. Set in post-Civil War Spain, Andrea’s story delves into the landscapes of resilience and the desire for identity, going beyond a simple recounting of historical events. Her struggles to find her place […] read full post >>

 This week's book was Agostino, and wow, yet another boy with mommy issues. Like many of you, I have also made a connection between Proust’s Combray and Agostino. The book definitely made me think of Combray and the relationship between Proust and... read full post >>

 This week's book was Agostino, and wow, yet another boy with mommy issues. Like many of you, I have also made a connection between Proust’s Combray and Agostino. The book definitely made me think of Combray and the relationship between Proust and... read full post >>

The man, the myth, the legend: Freud is back yet again. I think I speak for everyone (or mostly everyone) that he was the first that came to mind after reading the first few pages of « Agostino » by Alberto Moravia. I went into this book thinking it would be a fun summer read. And Boy, […] read full post >>

Tuesday, February 6th I was definitely not prepared for the journey that I embarked on while reading this book, considering this family takes the term dysfunctional to a whole new level. The story in itself was quite easy to follow, and I don’t find it to be a particularly tough read. The storyline was straightforward […] read full post >>

Well...this one was interesting. I usually write blog posts a lot earlier because I feel pretty inspired after reading a book...but this week was different. I've delayed writing this because quite frankly I've been left a bit speechless and don't know ... read full post >>

Well...this one was interesting. I usually write blog posts a lot earlier because I feel pretty inspired after reading a book...but this week was different. I've delayed writing this because quite frankly I've been left a bit speechless and don't know ... read full post >>

Agostino, a novel by Alberto Moravia, is the coming of age story of a young boy, with his widowed mother. Set on a beautiful sunny beach in the Italian summer, this book explores themes of loss, angst, youth, innocence, sexuality and the complexities of trying to understand the world around you. Infatuated with his mother, …

Continue reading "Week 5: Agostino"

read full post >>

Nada, or Nothing when translated from Spanish, is a heart-wrenching, dramatic novel by Carmen Laforet that details a family’s life in the aftermath of the Spanish Civil War. Laforet details the class divide, what it means to go hungry, and different kinds of love. We follow Andrea, a student, navigating her strange family and different […] read full post >>

Sometimes I wonder why literature writers (or is it just the romance ones?) get so obsessed with the Oedipus complex and overall Freud’s theory. There must be something poetic or beautiful within the layers of uncomfortable incestuous relationships for these many writers to focus on it. Even though I started reading the book without any […] read full post >>

Agostino was an interesting read to say the least… Although at first glance, the Freudian themes make it a bit of an uncomfortable read, once I turned my brain off to the perplexing sexualizations of Agostino’s mother I was able to appreciate the novella for what it was: an excruciatingly detailed recount of the experience […] read full post >>

Oh, boy…where do I even begin? I mean it was definitely an interesting read but, I won’t lie, it did make my stomach turn at some point. From the overly sexual descriptions of his mother to the racism to the overall underlying misogynistic tone of the book, Alberto Moravia’s Agostino never failed to disturb and […] read full post >>