RMST 202 Blog

  This week, I delved into Merce Rodoreda's "The Time of The Doves," and despite its weighty subject matter, I found it to be quite an engaging read. Rodoreda's ability to craft vivid imagery really drew me into the story. Initially, I was concerned that Natalia wouldn't find her happy ending, but I was relieved when things turned out well with Antoni.The book follows Natalia as she navigates her relationship with three men. The first Pere, who was very fond of her was a much better fit then Quimet, justice for that poor guy. Quimet, her first husband, was truly despicable. From trying to convince her to leave Pere to outright violence (when he STRANGLED HER), he crossed a line that I couldn't forgive. His manipulation tactics, like gaslighting Natalia about Pere and feigning illness in his leg for attention. He was a stinky narcissist and got what he deserved. Finally we have the second husband Antoni, who married Natalia to have a family. The thing that stoo...

  This week's book was Agostino, and wow, yet another boy with mommy issues. Like many of you, I have also made a connection between Proust’s Combray and Agostino . The book definitely made me think of Combray and the relationship between Proust and his mother. Similarly to Proust, Agostino has a fixation with his mother that can be seen as a bit obsessive. However I will say that Agostino conveyed his emotions in a much more enjoyable way then Proust. Rather than depicting the relationship with his mother as a bit excessive with and an almost unbelievable relationship, Agostino's relationship with his mother is a bit more realistic. In the book Agostino, enjoys his vacation with his mother, cherishing their daily outings on the water. However, their tranquil routine is interrupted when a young man appears, causing Agostino to notice subtle changes in his mother's demeanour. Despite his innocence, he senses that something is different about her, even though he struggles t...