I've finished both as well, TLA at the end of last week and the Barthes over the weekend. And I'm sad too, to not be in the midst of these books with all of you (though also looking forward to The Long Form, and more Barthes). Yes, totally agree w/Rebecca: the end of TLA is fantastic. One of the things I most love about this now-beloved book are the sections about Dorothy Bussy and Gide, and because of these bits and others I cried multiple times over the last 30 pages or so. Something about the way this long, long, intimate and uneven and painful relationship is changed, in some deep but hard-to-pinpoint way, towards the very end of their lives and their relationship--as Briggs puts it, the way Gide chooses to address Bussy in "something like a third language--effecting a release, starting the game all over again--so late, after so many years...": something about all this is so moving to me. Perhaps just the sense that at any time, at any age, meaningful change is possible, can surprise us and bring us joy, rewrite what we thought were the rules, shake things up (which is such a key aspect of the Barthes as well). And that language has the power to bring that kind of change about, which has been part of KB's argument all along: that language can enable "new conditions of possibility." Which is a tremendous thing, really. These last pages feel like such a profound argument for--definitely for translation, but for all reading and all writing.
This is such a beautiful comment, Kasey! The way Briggs writes about Bussy and Gide is so sensitive and careful and respectful. It's very moving. And your point about language as facilitating change makes so much sense; I love Briggs's argument throughout the whole book but particularly toward the end about reading with tact, not putting ideas or thoughts in boxes but letting them be what they are, understanding them for what they are. As Briggs puts it, "attending to what is delicate and particular" and "actively parrying against the all-purpose explanation." What a way to end.
Ah yes, same here: I love her writing around tact (and her discussion of the different ways the original French word could be translated, and why she likes this one...). "Attending to what is delicate and particular" feels like something I want to practice as much as I can. Those beautiful passages about flowers and their different attendants! (Which are beautiful also in the way they hearken back to Barthes referring to the lecture course as a flower...)
I bought a 2nd hand copy of Bussy and Gide's selected letters, but haven't started yet. Maybe in the gap between TLA and TLF?
I'd love to hear your thoughts! I'm going to send out a post soon on our video call and Part Two of the project -- feel free to add your thoughts there if you like!
I just finished This Little Art, and I'm feeling sad about it ending! The ending was beautiful, though -- a perfect note of protest and care.
I've finished both as well, TLA at the end of last week and the Barthes over the weekend. And I'm sad too, to not be in the midst of these books with all of you (though also looking forward to The Long Form, and more Barthes). Yes, totally agree w/Rebecca: the end of TLA is fantastic. One of the things I most love about this now-beloved book are the sections about Dorothy Bussy and Gide, and because of these bits and others I cried multiple times over the last 30 pages or so. Something about the way this long, long, intimate and uneven and painful relationship is changed, in some deep but hard-to-pinpoint way, towards the very end of their lives and their relationship--as Briggs puts it, the way Gide chooses to address Bussy in "something like a third language--effecting a release, starting the game all over again--so late, after so many years...": something about all this is so moving to me. Perhaps just the sense that at any time, at any age, meaningful change is possible, can surprise us and bring us joy, rewrite what we thought were the rules, shake things up (which is such a key aspect of the Barthes as well). And that language has the power to bring that kind of change about, which has been part of KB's argument all along: that language can enable "new conditions of possibility." Which is a tremendous thing, really. These last pages feel like such a profound argument for--definitely for translation, but for all reading and all writing.
This is such a beautiful comment, Kasey! The way Briggs writes about Bussy and Gide is so sensitive and careful and respectful. It's very moving. And your point about language as facilitating change makes so much sense; I love Briggs's argument throughout the whole book but particularly toward the end about reading with tact, not putting ideas or thoughts in boxes but letting them be what they are, understanding them for what they are. As Briggs puts it, "attending to what is delicate and particular" and "actively parrying against the all-purpose explanation." What a way to end.
Ah yes, same here: I love her writing around tact (and her discussion of the different ways the original French word could be translated, and why she likes this one...). "Attending to what is delicate and particular" feels like something I want to practice as much as I can. Those beautiful passages about flowers and their different attendants! (Which are beautiful also in the way they hearken back to Barthes referring to the lecture course as a flower...)
I bought a 2nd hand copy of Bussy and Gide's selected letters, but haven't started yet. Maybe in the gap between TLA and TLF?
Oops, I just now realized the calendar days are off for the schedule -- sorry about that! But by this point, you all know what to do :)
I have also finished both books and am trying to figure out where and when to add my thoughts.
I'd love to hear your thoughts! I'm going to send out a post soon on our video call and Part Two of the project -- feel free to add your thoughts there if you like!