Short essays with each chapter's subtitle alone telling almost all can be an interesting concept. Looking back from the present perspective, it indeed evokes a sense of nostalgia for those old days. However, despite this, I could barely find much reason to read it anyway. The profoundly personal tastes, scents, and daily landscapes described are just too difficult for me to empathize with. It seems that the author's experiences are so unique and perhaps distant from my own that it becomes a challenge to connect.
Nevertheless, it is important to note that the story does have a certain formality and dignity. The way it is presented gives an impression of seriousness and thoughtfulness. However, the wide time gap that exists sometimes plays a significant part in hindering compassion. It makes it hard for me to fully understand and feel for the characters and their situations as if there is a barrier preventing a deeper emotional connection.
Overall, while the writing may have its merits in terms of nostalgia and formality, it falls short in engaging me on a more personal and empathetic level due to the factors mentioned above.
Njut av små saker i vardagen så att ditt liv blir mer glädjefullt.
Njut av den första klunken öl, som den svala vätskan sprider sig i munnen och ger en känsla av välbehag.
Njut av Tour De France under sommaren, när de skickliga cyklarna susar förbi på vägarna, fyllda med energi och konkurrens.
Njut av en nybakad croissant från konditoriet tidigt på morgonen före alla har vaknat, när doften av fräscht bröd fyller luften och lockar till sig.
Njut av att åka tåg och se de fina landskapen förbi, medan man kan slappna av och njuta av utsikten.
Njut av ett glas portvin, när den söta och mörka vätskan övergår i munnen och ger en känsla av lyx.
Njut av att läsa på stranden, när solen värmer och vinden viskar omkring en, och man kan förlora sig i en god bok.
Njut av att bokbussen kommer på besök, när man kan utforska nya böcker och lära sig något nytt.
Njut av att gå på bio och se en spännande film, när man kan förlora sig i en annan värld och uppleva olika känslor.
Njut av att sätta på sig en mysig tröja, när man behöver värme och komfort.
Delerm beskriver vardagliga händelser på ett påtagligt sätt med en hög igenkänningsfaktor. Han uppmanar läsaren på ett fint sätt att direkt och stundvis indirekt njuta av smärre saker i livet. Man börjar reflektera över vad man är tacksam över, och dessutom lockas att åka till Frankrike där allt känns så pittoreskt.
There are books that, due to their length, the richness of their ideas, characters, situations, themes, or their complex and ambitious structure, are considered a literary feast. By the same rule, this little book by Delerm could then be seen as an appetizer, which, as everyone knows, no one minds or dislikes. It is a kind and friendly reading, light and luminous.
It offers a gentle introduction to the world of literature, perhaps enticing readers to explore further. The brevity of the text allows for a quick and enjoyable read, yet it still manages to convey some interesting thoughts and emotions. The characters may not be as fully developed as in a longer novel, but they are charming and relatable in their own way.
The themes explored in this little book are universal and timeless, such as love, friendship, and the search for meaning in life. Although it may not delve as deeply into these themes as some other works, it does so in a way that is accessible and engaging for readers of all ages. Overall, this book by Delerm is a delightful little aperitivo that is sure to leave a pleasant taste in the reader's mouth.
Väga armas raamat lihtsatest väikestest naudingutest. See raamat on tõesti väga armas ja annab palju rõõmu. See ei ole mitte üksnes lihtne lugemine, vaid ka võimalus mõelda oma elus olevate väikeste naudingute üle. Iga lugupealne võib leida oma tõestatud naudingutest, mis on kirjeldatud selles raamatus.
Mainimata ei saa jätta ka võrratut tõlget. See tõlge on väga kvaliteetseline ja võimaldab lugeda seda raamatut korduvalt, kuna see annab nii palju põhjalikke mõtteid ja emotsioone. Isegi kui olete juba lugenud seda raamatut üks kord, siis võib tõlge võimalikult hästi edasi anda ja võimalikult palju mõelda selle sisu üle.
Kokkuvõttes, see raamat on väga hea ja tõesti väärt, et seda lugeda. See annab palju rõõmu ja võimalust mõelda oma elus olevate väikeste naudingute üle. Võrratu tõlge võimaldab lugeda seda raamatut korduvalt ja saada sellest võimalikult palju.
What can I say? Well, it's short, so I didn't waste much time. The book didn't really surprise me at all. I don't even remember why I was interested in it – I forgot while reading. I think someone mentioned that this book is a literary experiment, and it's always good to be interested in experiments. Or maybe I was just curious how those French people got so excited, as it's written in the blurb that "Small Pleasures" was published 23 times in France with a print run of 110,000 copies. However it was, the fact remains: I read the book and remained skeptical.
What is this book about and why is it an experiment? There is no plot, no characters. There is no action, no setting, and none of the other things that are important for a traditional novel. Here, in short descriptions, all kinds of small things are described, nothing special, just ordinary, everyday little things that make up life. Things or moments. For example:
A pen in a pocket,
Donuts on a Sunday morning,
The sound of beans cooking,
A slice of ham,
The smell of apples,
The first sip of beer,
A late-night snack,
Reading on the beach,
Sunday evening,
A newspaper at breakfast
and so on. Some of the little things are very familiar, and you smile when reading about them because you've experienced them yourself and understand well what the author is writing about (reading in bed really resonated with me). Others are completely strange. For example, "The Look in an Arab Grocery Store". I didn't know what that look was, nor where I could suddenly find an Arab grocery store. Still others have simply been forgotten. For example, the sound of a phone in a booth.
Maybe all this sounds interesting, but believe me, it was incredibly boring to read. What's the difference between what some Frenchman thinks about the Tour De France races or the moving platform at the Monparnasse train station? To me, there is none. And the prose is nothing special. I would much rather read the impressions of a person on LSD about everyday objects: Ooo, the bark of a tree... How it is... Ohoho... And it's rough, and I'm touching it gently... And the writing... Go away!
I recommend this book to those who are interested in literary experiments. I also recommend it to all stubborn and optimistic people who have lost touch with reality. To those who are not overly impressed by all kinds of everyday things. I don't recommend it to others because I truly don't understand what this book could be valuable for.
Published here: http://www.suru.lt/philippe-delerm-pi...