Community Reviews

Rating(3.9 / 5.0, 99 votes)
5 stars
26(26%)
4 stars
33(33%)
3 stars
40(40%)
2 stars
0(0%)
1 stars
0(0%)
99 reviews
July 15,2025
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The problems in the book were the kind of problems that I really liked to think and talk about. In this regard, I can say that it opened up a wonderful horizon for me.

However, on the other hand, I have to admit that I got very bored while reading it. I don't know if it was due to the translation, but there was something that made the book seem static and I couldn't figure it out.

I came across several statements on the Internet like "The new translation is not good, find the old edition and read that". Maybe the reason for the static quality that I couldn't understand is this. If I can find the old edition, I would like to get it and read it again and again.

Overall, despite the boredom I experienced, the book still had some interesting aspects that made me want to explore it further. I hope to be able to find the old edition and gain a better understanding of its content.
July 15,2025
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Heartwarming academic theory about poetry, daydreaming, intimacy, the self and the home.

This remarkable book has had a profound impact on me. It has kindled a desire within me to engage in the simplest of tasks. I now have the urge to write a grocery list, carefully noting down all the items I need.

Cleaning my room has also become an appealing prospect, as I envision transforming it into a haven of order and tranquility.

Moreover, the thought of buying some worn-in slip-on shoes has crossed my mind. I imagine the comfort they would bring as I walk around.

I look forward to the future with anticipation. Growing old doesn't seem so daunting anymore. I picture myself furnishing a house, choosing each piece of furniture with care and love.

Weekends would be spent going to the market, strolling through the stalls, and experiencing the hustle and bustle of daily life.

This book has truly opened my eyes to the beauty and significance of the ordinary.
July 15,2025
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There's a great deal of discussion these days regarding "echo chambers," with people consciously surrounding themselves in a self-congratulatory loop of their own biases and self-importance. Well, I'm pleased to state that this (like many other things that folks blame on Millennials and younger generations) has been occurring for a significantly longer time (and likely with much more intensity) than one might infer from the mainstream news. Consider this book, for instance. It deliberately makes no room for actual science or anything of a historical/non-WASP nature. And yet, one is expected to accept extremely Eurocentric metaphors (forest = life, desert = death), aesthetics (everyone has a basement, right?), and linguistics (I personally adore German, but is it really admirable without being able to understand it? That seems a bit excessive) without so much as a murmur of dissent. Why? Because, of course, that's the only way one can truly be a phenomenologist! It's awfully convenient and awfully repetitive when the author can't go two paragraphs without either praising or griping about his usual icons or nemeses (he really had it in for the psychiatrists for some reason). In any event, when he wasn't excluding entire populations from critically engaging with his poets and philosophies, I gleaned some interesting insights about the emotional imbuements of space, and I even enjoyed all the Rilke quotes. When the writer isn't whining about white rich boy problems, he really is a gem. As for what this book is supposed to represent, it was rather fitting that Mark Z. Danielewski of 'House of Leaves' wrote an introductory blurb, as I found many of the same issues of misconstrued 'universalism' in this work of nonfiction that I had found in the fiction. If only there had been some spine-tinglingly pleasant, purposeful horror to get me through the bouts of 'you can't enjoy this unless you turn parts of your brain off, and if you're not willing to do that, goodbye!'.

July 15,2025
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What a journey!

It has been an adventure filled with countless memories and experiences. From the moment I set off, I knew it was going to be something special. The path ahead was unknown, but that only added to the excitement. Along the way, I encountered various challenges and obstacles, but I refused to give up. I pushed myself to my limits and discovered strengths within me that I never knew existed. The scenery I witnessed was breathtaking, from majestic mountains to serene lakes. Each place had its own unique charm and left me in awe. I also met many wonderful people who shared their stories and made this journey even more meaningful. As I look back on this journey, I realize that it has not only been a physical one but also a spiritual and emotional one. It has changed me in ways I could never have imagined. What a journey indeed!

I will cherish these memories forever and look forward to the next adventure that awaits me.
July 15,2025
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This man's writing is truly a headache.

It is filled with convoluted sentences and unclear thoughts.

The lack of proper organization makes it extremely difficult to follow his train of thought.

One has to constantly struggle to make sense of what he is trying to convey.

It seems as if he throws words together haphazardly without much consideration for coherence or clarity.

Reading his work feels like a never-ending maze, with no clear path to the intended meaning.

It is a great pity that such a talented man has such a problem with his writing.

If only he could take the time to structure his ideas more effectively and present them in a more understandable way, his work would be much more accessible and enjoyable.

As it stands now, however, his writing remains a source of frustration for anyone who attempts to read it.

July 15,2025
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This book is an excellent choice for anyone desiring a more in-depth understanding of the spaces we inhabit. Bachelard seamlessly combines philosophy, literature, and psychology to disclose the profound influence that spaces exert on the human mind.

One of the most striking passages from the book delves into the concept of the house as a storehouse of memories: "Memory assists the individual in the rich fabric of dreams. It is a wealth of history that the soul adores and by which it is enhanced." This is something with which I wholeheartedly concur.

What truly stood out to me was Bachelard's profound admiration for the poetry present in minute details, such as doors: "A door that conveys freedom is a door that has been opened by a hand." This simple yet evocative perception masterfully encapsulates the essence of his exploration.

This is a book that necessitates contemplation and self-reflection. Bachelard's capacity to uncover the concealed significance of our surroundings impels readers to reevaluate their own lived experiences within their homes, gardens, and beloved places. It encourages us to look beyond the physical aspects of these spaces and discover the deeper emotional and psychological connections that lie within. By doing so, we can gain a greater appreciation for the role that spaces play in shaping our identities and our sense of self.
July 15,2025
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And the parlor remains empty, silent and clean.

Serious-minded persons may then say with the poet, "it's a marquetry casket, and that's all." Echoing this reasonable opinion, the reader who is averse to playing with inversions of large and small, exterior and intimacy, may also say: "it's a poem and that's all." "And nothing more."

Indeed, this leisurely reader has often indulged in daydreams of this kind himself, but he would never have dared to write them down. Now the poet has given them literary dignity. It is my ambition to give them philosophical dignity. For in fact, the poet is right, he has just discovered an entire world. "Here too, was an entire world." Why should a metaphysician not confront this world?

It is difficult to give these stars. Although I have some difficulty with the degree of freedom that Bachelard takes in his writing style, I do understand with what intention this is done. He shows the greatness in the small, and he justifies, no elevates the daydream to a source for first philosophy. And that is at least a daring and interesting proposition.

We often overlook the small and seemingly insignificant things in life. But as Bachelard shows, there can be a whole world hidden within them. The parlor, the daydreams, these are not just ordinary things. They have the potential to be a source of great philosophical exploration. By giving them dignity, both literary and philosophical, we open up new ways of understanding the world around us.

Perhaps we should all take a closer look at the small things in our lives and see if there is a hidden world waiting to be discovered. Just like the poet and the metaphysician, we can find meaning and value in the most unexpected places.
July 15,2025
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I definitely feel that I have become a stronger writer as a result of the time I dedicated to reading this book. Bachelard asserts that he can, and in most cases, he succeeds in examining the "dialectical shadings" of all kinds of things related to home, such as cabinets, shelves, nooks, crannies, dressers, and more.

I truly appreciate the seamless combination of psychoanalysis and lyrical criticism in his work. However, my main concern with the book is what Bachelard appears to overlook. What about the experiences of place that are marred by trauma? Not all of our associations with small spaces are necessarily pleasant and nurturing in their "wombiness."

I'm glad that Bachelard had a wonderful childhood, but I can't help but wonder how those who have endured abuse or violence in the home would psychologically perceive a box or an enclosed image differently. This aspect seems to be missing from his analysis, and it could have added a significant layer of depth and complexity to his exploration of the relationship between the home and the psyche.
July 15,2025
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Edgar Degas said:

"Art is not what you see, but what you make others see."

If we replace the word "art" with the word "beauty" - and in fact, we won't go too far from the meaning -

the core of this book will revolve around this statement, which Gaston Bachelard tried to present in his book and which he found quite worthy.

Bachelard talks about the beautiful details that lie in our environment such as housing and nature, and how that affects us as human beings, and how writers have depicted that in their works of poetry, prose, and novels. The author quotes texts and verses from philosophers and writers. Perhaps this paragraph was the most beautiful thing I read in the book. His selections were excellent.

Milo, Rilke, Eluard, Baudelaire, and others.

Every beautiful detail described reached me, and I felt it as if it were in front of me.

But unfortunately, Bachelard's attempts to explain all this in a philosophical way did not reach me...

In this particular book, I was satisfied with the beauty of the place as a feeling or imagination rather than as a philosophy. I think the reason is the difficult translation of most of it...

Perhaps if I had read it in its original language, it would have deserved more than three stars.

July 15,2025
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So far, the major insight that has emerged seems to be that to the extent that we grow up in similar environments, we will possess similar internal landscapes. Consequently, we become susceptible to similar images. Ah. Well, it is indeed nice to have a theory regarding the efficacy of poetic images, and it is a rather convincing one at that.

However, Bachelard's further investigation is presenting a bit of a challenge for me. It is extremely French, replete with "we" and assumptions. I find myself objecting to all this talk about cellars and attics and how hurricanes purportedly make homes more comforting. I am a Floridian, and we simply do not have cellars or attics. Although we do experience hurricanes, real and powerful ones that often do not make our homes more comfortable. Nevertheless, I do understand what he is trying to convey.

At any rate, his work is filled with quotable passages, so I persevere and continue reading.
July 15,2025
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[W]e are never real historians, but always near poets, and our emotion is perhaps nothing but an expression of a poetry that was lost.

This is not what I had expected. The Poetics of Space is not a rigorous discussion of the concept of home or the distinction between inside and outside. Instead, it is a meditation. Bachelard prefers "daydream". As one reads, one takes shorthand from the philosopher's imagination. The text is filled with whimsy and speculation. The citations refer to the poetic rather than the philosophical. Heidegger is not mentioned. I suspect this is for political reasons.

Borrowing Bachelard's seminal point of contact, his Poetics remains half-open. The idea of the house and dwelling is only explored cursorily; broader issues of the miniature and the vast are given a lengthier treatment. I loved the sections on nests and wardrobes, each dizzying with references to Rimbaud and insularity. However, I simply felt that the wider thrust of the book abandoned the thesis of the Home.

This then is my ancestral forest. And all the rest is fiction.

In conclusion, Bachelard's work offers a unique perspective on the relationship between space and the human psyche. While it may not be a traditional academic study, it provides valuable insights into the poetic and imaginative aspects of our experience of space. The book's exploration of the miniature and the vast, as well as its references to literature and art, make it a rich and engaging read. However, the lack of a more in-depth exploration of the concept of home may leave some readers feeling disappointed. Nevertheless, The Poetics of Space remains an important work in the field of philosophy and literature, and one that continues to inspire new思考 and interpretation.
July 15,2025
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I cannot emphasize hard enough that there is a whole chapter dedicated to the PHENOMENOLOGY OF SNAILS in this book.

It is my favorite book that I have read in a long time. The way it explores this particular topic is truly remarkable.

The author delves deep into the world of snails, examining their behaviors, habitats, and unique characteristics.

From the microscopic details of their shells to the complex interactions they have with their environment, every aspect is covered in great detail.

It makes me see snails in a whole new light and appreciate the beauty and complexity of these often overlooked creatures.

This chapter on the PHENOMENOLOGY OF SNAILS is a testament to the author's passion and expertise in the subject.

It is a must-read for anyone interested in nature, biology, or simply learning about the fascinating world around us.

I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a captivating and informative read.
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