Solitude is often a concept that remains somewhat elusive and misunderstood.

For many, it is seen as an obscure state, something that is difficult to define or fully comprehend.

However, it is essential to clarify this notion of solitude.

Solitude is not simply being alone; it is a state of being that allows for self-reflection, inner growth, and a deeper connection with one's true self.

It provides an opportunity to step away from the distractions of the outside world and focus on one's thoughts, feelings, and desires.

By understanding and embracing solitude, individuals can gain a greater sense of self-awareness and find inner peace.

It can be a powerful tool for personal development and a source of inspiration.

So, for those who still perceive solitude as an obscure state, it is time to reevaluate and see it for the valuable gift that it truly is.

The fourth cover rather neatly sums up this book. It's about a man who "constantly marvels at his fellow humans who continue to fidget, even fight, love, believe. The search for oblivion, the nostalgia for knowledge we will never have, the sense of our infirmity and the miracle of all things." Basically, it's a (I quote:) "philosopher who hasn't learned to philosophize" who engages in long reflections in an overly white language full of parallelisms and pompous enumerations for three-quarters of the book. Fortunately, among his musings with the scent of Beaujolais, the main character decides to throw in some striking quotes so that we don't doze off.

In short, I fell asleep four times while reading this novel, but I would attribute its strangeness to the experimentation on the part of Ionesco who had written almost only plays. Fortunately, the last quarter of the book makes up for a bit of the rest.

This book seems to be a unique exploration, with its combination of philosophical musings and an unusual writing style. While it may have put me to sleep at times, it also had moments that made me stop and think. The experimentation by Ionesco, who was more accustomed to the stage, adds an interesting dimension to the work.

Overall, it's a book that is not easily forgotten, despite its flaws. It challenges the reader and makes them question their own understanding of the world and of human nature.

The text presents a profound exploration of knowledge and ignorance. The author laments their lack of knowledge, realizing that not knowing everything is what they truly lacked. They question whether scholars and wise men truly know enough and wonder if there is more to be known. The comparison between humans and nature, such as trees and animals, is also made. The author feels a sense of fatigue and impotence due to their inability to know.

The pull quote is an interesting addition, imagining a professor introducing the text as a "stupid book." While the author might have found it profound at 15, they now see it as having more value than The Stranger in describing a modern sense of unease or a broader mass philosophy. The text's reflections on revolutionary political activity, likely a commentary on the state of radical praxis post-May 1968, are also noted as interesting.

Overall, the author's rating of the text changes from three stars to a recommendation, despite the belief that nobody is reading it. Ionesco's work is seen as influenced by Sartre, and the idea of a character who initially denies thought but then has a change is presented as an interesting concept.

Magnificent

The word "magnificent" is truly a powerful and evocative term. It describes something that is grand, glorious, and awe-inspiring. A magnificent building might stand tall and proud, with its imposing architecture and beautiful details. It could be a historical monument that has withstood the test of time, or a modern skyscraper that reaches for the clouds.

A magnificent landscape can also take our breath away. It might be a vast mountain range, with its snow-capped peaks and deep valleys. Or perhaps it's a tropical beach, with its golden sands and crystal-clear waters. The beauty and splendor of such a scene can make us feel small and insignificant, yet at the same time, it can fill us with a sense of wonder and appreciation.

Magnificent can also describe a person or an event. A magnificent performance by a singer or an actor can leave the audience spellbound. An event like a royal wedding or a state funeral can be a magnificent spectacle, with its pageantry and ceremony.

In conclusion, the word "magnificent" encompasses a wide range of things that are truly remarkable and worthy of our admiration. Whether it's a building, a landscape, a person, or an event, something that is magnificent has the power to inspire us and make us believe in the extraordinary.

The book is about what could occur to an alcohol addict who came into a large inheritance and no longer had to work.

It portrays a life devoid of feelings, love, and a sense of time.

Just imagining it sends shivers down one's spine.

How could someone live in such a desolate state?

Without the need to work, the alcohol addict might spiral further into a downward spiral of self-destruction.

The money might provide temporary comfort, but it couldn't fill the void within.

Love and human connection are essential for a fulfilling life, yet this individual seems to have lost touch with those aspects.

The lack of a sense of time could lead to a life of aimlessness and confusion.

It's a truly terrible situation that makes one reflect on the importance of having purpose and meaning in life.

It has been many years since I last delved into the works of Ionesco, yet my affection for his writing remains undiminished.

Take "The Hermit" for instance, much like in "Rhinoceros", the protagonist is an observer of extreme events. At first, those around him are oblivious to these happenings. Later, they absorb and act upon them in ways that are both extreme and disconcerting.

This slender volume may not be a typical page-turner, but it is replete with fascinating questions that, I believe, are directed at the reader. Ionesco was once quoted as saying, "Why do people always expect authors to answer questions? I am an author because I want to ask questions. If I had answers, I'd be a politician."

This book presents several especially interesting themes. Among them are the harmful aspects of propaganda and war. In one particular section, he traverses a battle on his street only to discover that the warring parties are flying the same flag. He is informed, "They both have field glasses. They must know exactly what they're doing. I suspect two rival leaders of the same group are having it out."

It is truly timeless and thought-provoking, making it a work that continues to resonate with readers even after all these years.

I have long been a fan of all his absurdist plays and now I wanted to venture into his only novel. The plays are hilariously tragic, filled with a unique charm that combines humor and pathos. However, this novel was a different story. It was simply tragic and lacked the humor that made his plays so captivating.

As I delved into the pages of the novel, I found myself expecting the same kind of absurdity and wit that I had come to love in his plays. But instead, I was met with a rather depressing and straightforward narrative. The characters seemed one-dimensional and the plot failed to engage me on an emotional level.

Perhaps I was too influenced by my previous experiences with his plays, but I couldn't help but feel disappointed. I had hoped that the novel would offer a new perspective on his creative genius, but it fell short of my expectations. Nevertheless, I still respect his work and will continue to explore his other works in the future.

Υπέροχο! This is an amazing piece of writing. I read it from the editions of Κυψέλη which are within the distinct modern publishing houses. It truly captivated my attention from the very beginning. The way the story unfolds is simply remarkable.

The details are so vivid that it feels as if I am actually a part of the events. The characters are well-developed and their emotions are palpable. It makes me eager to know what will happen next.

Perhaps upon a second reading, it might even deserve a full 5 stars. I highly recommend this to anyone who loves a good read. It is definitely a gem among the modern literary works.

The Hermit by Eugène Ionesco is a remarkable work that delves into the depths of the human psyche. It consists of 126 pages filled with a gloomy, anxious, and nihilistic existential inner dialogue. The text seems to explore the very essence of our existence, questioning the meaning and purpose of life. Amidst this turmoil, there is also a mention of Beaujolais, perhaps adding a touch of contrast or a momentary escape from the intense emotional and intellectual exploration.

The accompanying image, Hope and Despair of Ángel Ganivet - Eduardo Arroyo, further enhances the mood and atmosphere of the piece. The photo, available at http://s996.photobucket.com/user/full-option/media/5B2F182A-D784-4D04-AAB4-42DACD26C607_1.jpg.html, shows a scene that may be related to the themes of the book. The alt text, "photo 5B2F182A-D784-4D04-AAB4-42DACD26C607_1.jpg", gives a description of the image.

Overall, The Hermit appears to be a thought-provoking and engaging read that will surely leave a lasting impression on its readers.

**The Solitaire in 'Le Solitaire'**

In the article from *De Revisor*, we are introduced to 'Le Solitaire', a 35-year-old 'little man', a clerk, a bachelor. His life, both inwardly and outwardly, follows the same colorless lines. Suddenly, he inherits a huge fortune from an uncle in America, meaning he never has to work again.

The mention of 'an uncle from America' is likely a deliberate life-long cliché, perhaps even 'pour épater le gauche'. Ionesco's main concern is to show what such a life in a 'pure state' looks like.

Just like in 'Modder', the main character remains nameless. He is the 'I' of the story who tells his tale in the past tense and seems strikingly similar to the 'I' in the Diaries.

He says goodbye to the office where he has worked for fifteen years, to Juliette, Jeanine, and Lucienne with whom he has had shorter or longer relationships, to a few colleagues, the regular café, and his hotel room. He then rents a comfortable but by no means luxurious apartment on the outskirts of the city.

However, there is hardly any sign of excitement. He is 'freed from' but not 'free to'. He is like a numbed person who can only register but not experience. At the office, he had a comrade, Jacques, who became a member of a revolutionary party, but he himself was neither rebellious nor at peace. He was just there, 'part of the cosmos that could not be other than it was, and no society could change that'.

With a polemical tone, a pessimistic worldview where forgiveness, boredom, and fear prevail is confronted with a revolutionary ideology that can only lead to tyranny, bloodshed, and 'unleashed passions'.

These and other reflections find their place as a matter of course in the book, amidst a meticulous description of daily life. The 'I' anxiously restricts himself to the immediate surroundings of his new house. He eats at fixed times in the same restaurant, arouses the pity of the maid who moves in with him but leaves him after a while. He increasingly falls victim to nausea, dizziness, and fears.

But should we interpret these purely psychologically or go along with the 'I' who seeks the deepest cause in the fundamental ignorance of man: 'Unable to understand the universe, to know what something is, that is unacceptable.'

The 'I' experiences his existence as 'Jeté dans le monde', thrown into the world. Towards the end of the book, when the 'I' has already started talking strangely to people on the street and is drinking too much, the civil war that has been raging for years (a revolution like in May 1968) has reached his neighborhood and he can no longer leave his house. The concierge has stocked up on food for years and he has moved from the front room to the back room.

He is still there when the reconstruction has already begun and the neighborhood around him that has been bombarded is being transformed into a modern residential area. Almost unnoticed, the story has once again ended up in absurd waters. Repetition as a poetic element makes its entrance again. In short, the philosophical aspect has given way to the literary.

And at the end, it turns out - truly Ionesco - that in the backyard, amidst the rubbish, a tree has sprouted. The walls recede and a desert stretches out under a shining sky. As if that weren't enough: a silver ladder disappears into the blue sky. Thank goodness, the sky exists after all. 'Je pris cela pour un signe' - 'I regarded that as a sign' are the last words of the book.

(The last line of 'Modder': 'The mist had lifted and with the blue image of a freshly washed sky, I left.')

This book has deeply touched me, both in its writing style and its story.

The main character is simply overwhelming, in his humanity, his questions, and his relationship with others/with the outside world.

I had only read Rhinoceros by Ionesco before, but The Solitary has definitely made me want to read more of his books.

The way the author portrays the inner turmoil and the external conflicts of the character is truly remarkable. It makes you think about your own life and the choices you make.

The story is not only engaging but also thought-provoking. It challenges your beliefs and makes you look at the world from a different perspective.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves to read and is looking for something that will touch their heart and make them think.

Ionesco, throughout the entire book, transmitted to me a certain feeling of melancholy trapped in hopelessness and absurdity.

The feeling after reading is disturbing.

His works seem to present a world that is both familiar and strange, a world where the ordinary becomes extraordinary and the logical becomes illogical.

The characters in his plays often find themselves in situations that are beyond their control, facing problems that have no solutions.

This sense of powerlessness and absurdity can be quite overwhelming at times.

However, it is also this very quality that makes his works so thought-provoking and engaging.

By presenting the world in such a distorted way, Ionesco forces us to question our own assumptions and beliefs about the world around us.

He makes us realize that the world is not always as it seems, and that there are often hidden layers of meaning and significance beneath the surface.

Overall, reading Ionesco's works is an experience that is both challenging and rewarding.