January 20, 2012
by Demie of Paraphernalia
I read this book for the first time ... maybe fifteen years ago, in my mother language (Greek) and was caught by it. By its storytelling... the way it was written... the weirdness in it. I have gone back to Almayer Inn, in my mind all these years .... and this is exactly what makes a work of art, whether it is a book, a painting, a theater play or a movie, important to me. The fact that it sets in motion a river of
thoughts which flows in my head for a long time. Perhaps even for many years to come ....
So now I read the Ocean Sea again, in English this time, and I am caught again. Of the "alternately playful and deeply serious," exciting novel, and the ocean's hypnotic power.is a
very sensitive book at times..." In fact, all you need
is a little sensitivity to understand that any blind corner is a possible
ambush, and two roads that cross are a perfect geometrical violence, enough to
frighten anyone who possesses real
sensitivity and all the more to her, who was not exactly possessed of a
sensitive spirit, but to put it in exact terms, possessed by un uncontrollable
sensitivity of spirit forever exploded
in who knows which moment of her secret life- the merest scrap of a life, young
as she was- only to return to mysterious ways to her heart, and her eyes, and
hands and all over, like an illness, although it was not an illness, but
something less, if it has a name it must be lighter than air, say it and it`s
already gone. " page 9
A very sharply funny
book at others. (like when Professor Bartleboom is checking in Almayer Inn...)" The Professor`s pen slipped voluptuously between the
sheets. Ismael Adelante Ismael
Prof. Bartleboom-
The first Ismael was my father, the second my grandfather.- And that one?- Adelante?- No, not that one there... this one.- Prof. ?- Mmm...- It`s Professor, isn`t it? It means Professor.-What a silly name.- It`s not a
name.... I am a Professor, I teach, do you see? I walk through the streets and
people say, Good morning, Professor Bartleboom, Good evening, Professor
Bartleboom, but is not a name, is what I do,
I teach...- It`s not a name.- No.- All right. My name is Dira.- Dira.- Yes. I walk through the
streets and people say, Good morning, Dira, Good nitht, Dira, You `re looking
pretty today, Dira, What a nice dress you`re wearing, Dira, You haven`t seen Bartleboom by any chance, have you?... " page 14/15
But most of all a mysterious
book, as the sea is for many of us... page 55 and I am enchanted by every
single word in this book. and the way every single word is used.but be aware Ocean Sea is ...
"
...the ideal liniment for the hydrophobic, the melancholy, the impotent, the
anemic, the lonely, the wicked, the envious, and the mad. "
Enjoy!
Demie
You may purchase Ocean Sea by Baricco HERE
