W, or, the Memory of Childhood

This week I read W, or the memory of a childhood. This novel was different from others we had read in previous weeks, and unlike anything I had really read before. When I was starting this novel, the double story writing style was confusing at times. The fact that it was differentiated by font did help for sure.I was struggling to find the correlation between the two stories and felt like I was jumping from one book to another each time it switched over. Also, it often felt like we were given a lot of additional background details that perhaps helped visualize something like a picture, but the descriptions seemed to drag on longer than necessary. It was definitely easier for me to engage in the story based on the child growing up during the time of war and the complexity of his life. He lost his parents at a young age, and bounced around different living arrangements a lot of the time. From what he recalls, and the memories that he does have, it seemed like a very rough time to grow up. 


His memories are oddly specific, and it seems as though from what he does remember, he remembers those instances in great detail. It stood out to me that he described a memory from when he was only three about his family gathered in a circle “the family circle surrounds me wholly, but the sensation of encirclement does not cause me any fear of feeling of being smothered; on the contrary it is warm, protective, loving”. At first I thought there was no way a memory could be recalled at the age of only three, however after some research, apparently you can begin to recall memories as early as the age of two. Still, I question the validity of some of his memory recall simply due to the circumstances in which he was living as well as his use of imagination. 

Starting part two, I was a bit confused with the Olympic islands. I was not sure how that related at all to anything that had been discussed leading up to that, but eventually began to realize its true significance. I think this is one of the most important ways in which the stories somehow merge together. My question to the class is what is the significance of the … on page 61? What do you think Perec intended to convey?

Also Perrier is the best drink ever. Enjoyed one while writing this.

Comments

  1. JonMarch 7, 2022 at 9:19 PM

    Ha! To be honest, I don't really like Perrier... it's just one of the sacrifices I make for this class! :)

    Meanwhile, you say that you "eventually began to realize [the] true significance" of the W story... don't be shy! Tell us! :)

    ReplyDelete
  2. harshi jhaveriMarch 9, 2022 at 10:10 PM

    Hi Daisy! Great Post:)
    "Still, I question the validity of some of his memory recall..."
    I definitely agree! But I have to say, I think we are supposed to question them. After all, he himself understands and shares with the readers his struggle to remember his own childhood, which, in a way, also shows how he 'questions the validity' of his own memories...

    ReplyDelete

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