Marie de Gournay was eighteen when she read, and was overwhelmed by, the essays of the French philosopher Montaigne. She had to be revived with hellebore. When she finally met Montaigne, she stabbed herself with a hairpin until the blood ran in order to show her devotion. He made her his adopted daughter for the two months they knew each other. He died four years later, after which, though scorned by intellectuals, she became his editor. Jenny Diski engages with this passionate and confused relationship between 'father and daughter', old writer/young acolyte, possible lovers, using both their voices. Much of their story is about absence of the people they love. In Jenny Diski's hands it becomes a fascinating tale.
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Book Description
Editorial Reviews
Review
PRAISE FOR ON TRYING TO KEEP STILL: ** 'On Trying to Keep Still is unflaggingly engaging. It is also very funny' Sophie Ratcliffe, NEW STATESMAN ** 'A brave and moving admission of a way of life that society isn't geared up to cope with, a poignant read illuminated by flashes of humour' Herald 'More please' INDEPENDENT ** 'A remarkable, original, often funny, truly moving, journey' INDEPENDENT ON SUNDAY
About the Author
Jenny Diski is the author of nine novels including ONLY HUMAN and three memoirs: SKATING TO ANTARTICA, STRANGER ON A TRAIN and ON TRYING TO KEEP STILL. She lives in Cambridge.
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
2.0 out of 5 stars
What an unpleasant main character,
By Susan Wiser (Lincoln, New Zealand) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Apology for the Woman Writing (Paperback)
I read this book because of my current interest in novels set in France. This one takes place during the late 1500's, which is a period I know little about and the premise sounded interesting. I was very disappointed, however. Although the quality of the writing is good (that's why I ranked it with 2 stars instead of 1), I found the main character of the novel intensely irritating. She is a self-absorbed, arrogant, socially obtuse person. And on top of that she is a mediocre writer. Further, the story of her life isn't especially interesting. I wonder what the author hoped to achieve with this book. At least it gave me an excuse to make myself learn a bit more about the Huguenots, who are mentioned in passing.
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