My only exposure to Ionesco (prior to this novel) was through reading and almost performing in "The Bald Soprano". However, some stuff came up during my senior year in high school, and we never got the production off the ground. Additionally, I read an interview with Zero Mostel about performing in "The Rhinocerous". So basically, it wasn't enough to have formed a strong expectation, but it was sufficient for me to feel adequately prepared to handle any of his absurdist tendencies as I started to read his one and only novel, "The Hermit".

Surprisingly, it wasn't anything like what I expected. The beginning of the novel is firmly rooted in reality, which was fine by me, until the narrator vanished into his own thoughts, becoming obsessively philosophical upon inheriting some money from a relative. The tedious mental observations rambled on for a while and struck me as the annoyingly naïve pseudo-epiphanies that a freshman-level philosophy major might have as their professor guides them through the evolution of 'deep thinking'. The entire first half of the novel was burdened by this banal alienation that the narrator heaped upon himself while waxing poetic about what the world truly is and how he's trapped in a box within another box within yet another box. Ugh.

The second half of the novel maintains the same theme, but Ionesco reduces much of the tedium and injects a touch of the familiar absurdity. In his self-imposed solitude, the narrator begins to [?hallucinate / witness?:] a timeless war being waged around him. The chaos, paranoia, and nihilism reach a peak with a surreal climax that manages to salvage the story to some extent. However, in the end, I wasn't left with any profound realizations.

Instead, I was left with a desire to re-read "The Bald Soprano" to understand what it was that fascinated me about Ionesco in high school.

The words of that French critic that this novel "probes and details the illness of our century" are not the correct ones.

I truly don't understand what he means with "illness".

In this novel, we have a character who is actually less ill than everyone else who is engaged in the rat-race of society.

While others are constantly striving, competing, and perhaps losing sight of their true selves in the pursuit of material success and social status, this particular character seems to have a more balanced and perhaps even healthier perspective.

It makes one wonder if the so-called "illness" that the critic refers to is not something that affects everyone equally, but rather a condition that is exacerbated by the pressures and demands of modern society.

Perhaps this character serves as a counterpoint, a reminder that there are other ways of being and living that are not defined by the rat-race.

Overall, the critic's statement seems to be a bit too simplistic and perhaps not entirely accurate when considering the complex and multi-faceted nature of the characters and themes in the novel.

Those who are well acquainted with Ionesco's work will not be disoriented by the discovery of this novel, but a novel! Nevertheless, this form of text seems out of place in the author's bibliography when everything else is practically only theater.

There are advantages to discovering Ionesco in this form (a deeper intrusion into the psyche of the characters, a more intense exploration of the domains of the absurd), but one can be bored by the lengths that accumulate towards the end of the book and the overly "administrative" tone employed by a solitary figure who seems a bit too preoccupied with the task of making himself well understood by his readers...

"But yes, but yes, the sunny world we have within ourselves, joy could burst forth continuously at any moment, if we knew, I mean if we knew in time. How beautiful ugliness is, how joyous sadness is, as boredom is only due to our ignorance!"

This novel by Ionesco offers a unique perspective. It delves into the complex inner workings of the characters, taking us on a journey through the absurd. However, the excessive length and the somewhat dry tone towards the end might test the patience of some readers. Despite these drawbacks, it is still an interesting addition to Ionesco's body of work, allowing us to see his creative genius from a different angle.

Overall, this novel provides an opportunity for both new and existing fans of Ionesco to explore his ideas in a new and engaging way. Whether you are drawn to the psychological depth or the exploration of the absurd, there is something here to discover and appreciate.

Mais, c'est tout moi!

This simple phrase holds a world of meaning. It's a proclamation of authenticity, a recognition that everything I am, all my qualities, flaws, dreams, and fears, are an integral part of me.

It's a statement that I embrace myself fully, without apology or pretense. I am not trying to be someone else or fit into a particular mold. I am unique, and that's something to be proud of.

This phrase also gives me the courage to take risks and pursue my goals. I know that I have the strength within me to face any challenges that come my way.

Mais, c'est tout moi! It's a reminder that I am in control of my own life and that I have the power to create the future I desire.

Recommended by the philosopher Laird, this is another existential novel that should be read along with works like "Blue of Noon", "The Stranger", "Young Adam", and "Hunger".

It delves into themes such as war, hallucination, paranoia, and Ionesco's unique brand of anti-political-political nihilism. The story likely explores the human condition in the face of chaos and uncertainty, presenting a complex and thought-provoking narrative. Through vivid descriptions and a captivating plot, the author invites readers to question their own beliefs and perceptions of the world. Whether you are a fan of existential literature or simply looking for a challenging and engaging read, this novel is sure to leave a lasting impression.

I think I would most recommend "The Stranger" to those who enjoy Sartre's and Kundera's texts.

It is a magnificent novel that questions existence and conveys to the reader by melting the worldliness on earth in the hero's philosophical gaze.

I was gradually destroyed, I fainted.

Read it, may it be a light for your search for meaning.

"The Stranger" presents a unique perspective on life and human nature.

It forces us to confront our own beliefs and values, and to think about the meaning and purpose of our existence.

The protagonist's detached and seemingly indifferent attitude towards the events around him challenges our conventional notions of morality and responsibility.

By reading this novel, we can gain a deeper understanding of ourselves and the world we live in.

It is a thought-provoking and engaging work that will stay with you long after you have finished reading.

So, if you are looking for a book that will make you think and question, "The Stranger" is definitely worth a read.

La richesse de l’Ennui

This is the story of a rather unpunctual office employee. He led a busy life until one day, out of nowhere, he received an inheritance that changed his life. Goodbye to work and the early morning wake-up calls. Instead, a modest life began, modestly filled, and paced by the desire for a long rest. However, this rest would lead him to the bottom of the abyss of boredom. There, he would encounter the deepest, existential questions without answers, which the active people had thrown into the darkness, the abyss of the void. The anxiety of knowing nothing, of dying in ignorance. The quest for "the knowledge that we will never have." So many unanswered questions, the abandonment of the rhythm of life, the loss of the concept of time, of social ties, and the event of too much, which made him a dead man among the living, almost forgotten by everyone, regarded as a madman. Was he ultimately? It is up to the reader to judge. This is the deepest and most existential book that I have been allowed to read.

Having too much money can sometimes lead to an existential crisis. When one has an abundance of wealth, they may find themselves with an excess of time on their hands. This extra time gives them the opportunity to think deeply about the meaning and purpose of their lives.

Without the distractions of work or financial concerns, they may start to question the value of their possessions and the activities they engage in.

Additionally, the lack of a fulfilling sex life can also contribute to this sense of unease.

Sex is an important aspect of human connection and can provide a sense of intimacy and satisfaction. Without it, one may feel a void in their emotional and physical lives.

All of these factors combined can create a perfect storm of existential crisis, leaving the individual feeling lost, confused, and searching for meaning in a world that seems increasingly empty.

After being placed in an inherited property, a man who eats his head because he "fell into the void" was surprisingly relatable.

This strange and somewhat disturbing scenario immediately catches the reader's attention. One can't help but wonder what could have led this man to such an extreme act. Was it the overwhelming sense of emptiness that came with inheriting something without any real connection or purpose?

Perhaps the property held some hidden secrets or burdens that pushed him over the edge. Or maybe it was simply his own psychological state that was already fragile, and this new situation was the final straw.

Whatever the reason, the fact that this story feels relatable to some extent is truly astonishing. It makes us question our own relationship with the things we inherit and the impact they have on our lives.

I, who read the book, would be like this. Why? What is significant in this book? - Nothing special and everything.

For me, this book is selectively, situationally, essentially and emotionally chosen, and it made me feel what always remains with me after reading this book: "There is always that feeling that something is missing, something is not present. What is missing? What was it that was missing? I wished everything was known. Oh, this was always missing." While reading, "it dawned on me. For no reason. And for every reason."

This book is about questions and not about answers; "These countless questions have taken a step forward, a step forward in shaping the fullness of life and its manifestation." How the main character is known by his own discoveries, which he had made in previous explorations and which now appeared completely different.

I also left my mark on it and got a smile in return :)

If you have enough money for a complete life makeover, it is advisable to learn how to turn the page on your own routine and all the political processes that occur around you. This humorous book is about how not (!) to be routinized. It addresses all those bourgeois or simply conformist individuals who comfortably live a life distanced from everything, not caring about the injustice and suffering that exists all around them because it doesn't concern them. The protagonist is a depressive type who accidentally comes into a large sum of money and starts living a different life. His life doesn't change in terms of housing and restaurants. He does nothing to oppose the exploitation of the lower class, the plight and problems of those people he meets every day, three times a day in the same place, in the same restaurant. During a civil war, he is first a pacifist in his own imagination, but then he betrays the war and in an armed struggle sells everyone for a pittance in the name of solving the problem. Over the years, he becomes an ordinary, spoiled bourgeois, moving comfortably from the comfort zone of his home to the outside world and back. He is not even interested in political processes and the reasons for the war. For him, revolution is just a pretext for chaos, a means of releasing people's aggressive nature. For him, it is just as strange and incomprehensible as being stuck in a rut by those around him without asking questions and showing the tip of the iceberg of curiosity or a temporary break, rapid changes in time and space without the delivery of quality, the unprotected crossing of the street by those around him, etc. Just as his spoiledness, stubbornness, and overall conformism, which is not even conformism, are for those around him.

In the future, this embittered man is hopeful and satisfied with himself that he has turned the page on his own life and the four walls that have imprisoned him, and now it is impossible to predict what will come next.

Those who experience the pain of existence, voluntary eccentrics, bohemians, and "the lonely within the crowd" will love it. However, I found the work a bit pessimistic and depressive. On the other hand, if you sense the resonances from Yusuf Atılgan's work titled "The Eccentric Man" while reading the text. If you liked Atılgan's work, you will also like this one...

This piece seems to offer a rather complex view. It presents a range of people who might have an affinity for the work, yet it also admits to a certain negative perception on the part of the reviewer. The comparison to Atılgan's work adds an interesting layer, suggesting that there are similarities that might attract the same audience. It makes one wonder what exactly makes this work both appealing and yet somewhat off-putting. Perhaps it's the exploration of themes related to loneliness and the human condition that can be both captivating and depressing at the same time.