A book I can't read 11/9 '18
This article came across my radar yesterday and I found it fascinating.
Illicit Love Letters: Albert Camus and Maria Casares
https://www.theparisreview.org/blog/2018/04/11/illicit-love-letters-albert-camus-and-maria-casares/
I know next to nothing about Camus, but the idea of this love affair cropping up at the end of WWII, ending abruptly, then continuing for decades, almost entirely by post, has me riveted. It makes me wonder if they were really in love with each other, or more in love with the act of writing and reading? Would it have been as exciting if it weren't a secret?
The problem is that the book hasn't been translated into any languages other than French yet. I don't speak or read French.
There's a play that's very similar to this story, called Dear Elizabeth, about the correspondence between the poets Elizabeth Bishop and Robert Lowell. Unfortunately, it's written by Sarah Ruhl, who I dislike.
The Camus & Casares story interests me more. It has Europe, war, absurdism, Camus' suicidal wife, the train ticket in his pocket the day he died. And I can't read it, damnit.
I tried taking French on Duolingo a few years ago and all it made me was angry.
I'd need to have a dictionary on hand.