My current readings

Guyssss it’s been such a long time! 

So, I completely stopped writing a year ago, but I have just started my studies, and I am very motivated to start all of that again! I have lots of ideas for future articles, as well as photos for articles to come, but what takes the longest is really writing, and translating everything in the different languages. I will thus do the maximum to post articles regularly, and make this blog grow, because for the moment, let’s be clear, it doesn’t attract anybody 😊

I have decided to open an Instagram account linked to my blog, so if you ever read this, and you want to follow me on Instagram, you’re welcome!   

@mafral.blog

Today I have decided to share with you the books I read this summer, and to tell you what I thought about them. There are some long ones and shorter ones, serious ones and touching ones. 

So let’s do this!

The Female Persuasion – Meg Wolitzer 

 

To begin with, I want to talk to you about this book I read in English, and which I bought mostly for its nice, colourful and geometric book cover (oups).

It is about the story of Greer Kadetsky, an American student who will, during the course of her first year at university, meet a woman who is going to change her life: Faith Frank. We mostly follow Greer Kadetsky’s journey, an endearing character who is searching for herself. 

The novel is feminist but not too much; by that I mean that it is not annoying and is not looking for judging anyone. It is more about making readers reflect upon feminism through the characters rather than through discourses addressed to them. The story makes one want to be a bo$$!

Other issues are addressed, such as trauma and their influence on life, as well as childhood/education and its consequences on each of us’ personality. This also contributes to making the story realistic.

Moreover, the novel is written in a certain way, so as to have an idea about characters’ future. We therefore want to know more about what leads them to such a situation in their future. Difficult to tell you more about it without spoiling you! 

Anyway, I really enjoyed this book, which is rather easy and pleasant to read. It doesn’t require much reflexion, which is perfect for the evening for example. 

Until death do us part – Ingrid Betancourt 

 

This time, it is an autobiography by Ingrid Betancourt. This woman, if you don’t know her, is a French-Colombian politician, whose father is also a Colombian politician.

The book traces her life, particularly her political journey, her fight against narco-traffickers and corruption in Colombia. Thus, the story tells us about the events that happened in Colombia in the 1990’s.  

If you have watched the series Narcos, the book is about the same events as in the series. I found that particularly interesting, because it allows to understand the behind the scenes of politics in Colombia during those years, this time on the good guys’ side.

Through her story we can see her incredible humanity, her devotion to and her great love for her country, Colombia.

The book is written in a way that you can make links between the different event, which I really liked. Moreover, it is quite short so it is quick to read. 

I am really (really) interested by Colombia in general, so of course I really enjoyed the book. However, if you are not particularly interested in this country, I think that you might still like this book, because it displays some difficult dilemma, but also the difficulty that politicians from all backgrounds face regarding the combination of a political career and a family life.

Ce que je sais de Vera Candida – Véronique Ovaldé

*hasn’t been translated into English yet*

My personal favourite.

Even though the story isn’t one of the craziest, I loved this novel, for the simple fact that is it beautifully written. 

It is the story of a family in a remote village, in which women are prostitutes from one generation to the other. The story begins with the character of Rose Bustamente, whose daily life is disturbed by the arrival of a rich and mysterious businessman: Jeronimo. We then follow Vera Candida’s journey, Rose Bustamente’s grand-daughter, and her fight to get rid of her past that haunts her.

This young girl is faced with difficulties such as making choices, trusting people, taking care of a child, without entirely being an adult herself.

The writing can sometimes be rude, but the story is very endearing. It is at the same time detailed and mysterious; you know this sort of book that you cannot leave once you’ve started it! 

I had the feeling of listening to a tale throughout my whole reading. 

The book is also quite short and can be read very very quickly!

L’homme qui voyait à travers les visages – Eric Emmanuel Schmitt

*hasn’t been translated into English yet*

This book is very peculiar. It tells the story of Augustin, a boy who lacks distinct character traits, introverted and unloved, who, however, sees people’s deads.

In my opinion, the actual story isn’t truly interesting; what is, is the message behind it. Indeed, through a seemingly platonic and boring story, the text makes one think about more important and crucial questions, in a philosophical way.

The questions of freewill and religion are discussed. The story more precisely exposes an original vision of what is religion, and how it was constructed by God. 

If you have read Sophie’s World, by Jostein Gaarder, I thought that the writing style was pretty similar to the one from Sophie’s World. In effect, the author tries to deliver a message through questions and answers from various characters.

Personally, I don’t appreciate this writing style very much, because it keeps on reminding me that I am reading a book which aims at making me reflect upon certain ideas, and this I find clumsy.

However, I know people who really like this way of writing! 

So up to you to make up your mind about it, it’s going to be very interesting anyway.

Les compromis – M. Calligaro et E. Cardère

*hasn’t been translated into English yet*

This fiction takes place at the European parliament, in Brussels, which became a crime scene. Emile, a parliamentary assistant, tries to clarify the story behind the murder of his deputy. 

Through a murder story, we learn about the functioning of the European machine, not in detail, but we understand the general idea of it. It is particularly interesting because the two authors have worked there, and thus are familiar with the functioning of the different institutions.

Moreover, some details such as the Thursday evenings at the Place du Luxembourg, make the text more real, and we learn about some fun facts of a parliamentarians’ life in Brussels.

By the way, if you ever go to Brussels and are lucky enough to visit the European parliament, you will be surprised by how fun it is to find yourself in the book’s setting!

Another thing which I really liked in this book, is to see the interaction that some members from totally opposing parties can have, and how, in the end, if we choose the point of view of one or the other, the arguments stay plausible. 

If you are interested in the European institutions, I can advise you to read this book, because it offers a grounding for understanding parliamentarians’ life in Brussels. 

La petite fille à la balançoire – Frédérique Bedos

*hasn’t been translated into english yet*

Last book which I read this summer, and which was quickly finished!

It is another autobiography, which traces the life of Frédérique Bedos, a former international TV host. This woman had an original childhood, surrounded by two distinct worlds; on one side: a biological mother a bit disturbed; on the other side: well-organized and welcoming large family parents. The author finds herself in between two family loves, from her very young childhood on. 

The author’s words particularly touched me. She describes the difficulties that children can face to construct themselves, and how this can sometimes be too difficult for some of them…

The childhood anecdotes that are recounted make the reader smile as much as they incite to accept others and their differences. 

The story is very well written, with a flow that drives the reader throughout the book. It is a great life lesson, which I would recommend everyone to read.

That’s it for my summer’s readings, I hope that you enjoyed the article. Make sure to tell me if you have any ideas of things that I could add to my articles, or if you have read one of those books, to tell me what you thought about it!

Also, if you have any reading recommendations of books that you really liked (or not), do not hesitate: I’m listening!

Mafral.

PS : Christmas is just around the corner, so one of these books might as well be a nice gift idea!