I seldom recommend a book, and this one from the late author Pia Pera I haven't finished yet. But I am utterly fascinated - though it is a kind of literature I seldom read - as you might know by now I most often prefer novels with an optimistic ending, something that lifts my mood, and if it makes me laugh: all the better.
In the introduction to this book Pia Pera quotes a poem by Emily Dickinson - "I haven't told my garden yet" (I will show it in my blog "Happiness of the Day" under www.burstingwithhappiness.blogspot.com) As I do not love the German translation of Emily's poem in that book I dare to give the German readers of my blog a new one.
Pia writes that the change of perspective towards death in that poem has impressed her.
"The care about the animated and the unanimated beings, whom we in a certain way have deceived by making them used to our presence. Without warning them of the unavoidable défaillance: that we are here and now raises the expectation that we will always be there - an untenable promise. I liked the idea that by such a reversal the egoism would be subdued, that when thinking of one's owns death one quasi wants to apologise for the involuntary disappearance. And that instead of worrying about oneself one should ask how it will be for the others, not for us."
The book of Pia Pera is so full of wisdom - so comforting in face of her nearing death - I really recommend it - at least to all lovers of gardens.
So - maybe I should have put it on my blog "...sunshine, freedom and a little flower"(www.blumenundgarten.blogspot.com) - but I think it is much more than a good garden book.
It starts with the sentence:
"On one day in June some years ago remarked a man who said he loved me in a reproachful tone that I limped."
As above it is my translation from the German version - but look at the distance, coldness and the contempt in "a man who said he ...".
But don't get me wrong:
it is a book without hate - it is warm and relaxed and relaxing in face of an incurable illness.
The poem is lovely. The story of the old man offering a 'compliment" makes me think "I love you BUT..." BUT is telling us to forget all that came before and listen to what is coming. I would have to read the whole story before making a judgement I suppose.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Emma! That man vanished out of her life and except in that first sentence plays no part in the novel .He is just the first to notice that she is evidently having a problem with one leg - but I thought her contempt for him leaving her when she gets incurable sick is so well expressed.
ReplyDeleteAnd yes - compliments that add a "but" are often poisoned!
The author and her novel sound intriguing, and I do love gardens and gardening.
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