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Katia N's Reviews > Diary
Diary
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Gombrowicz is a Polish writer of the middle of the 20th century. He spent the Second World War and the following years in emigration in Argentina. After 24 years he returned to Europe, but never went back to the Communist Poland. He is considered the one of the most prominent Polish writers and his diary is considered to be his masterpiece.
It took me almost 6 months to read this Diary. I found out about its existence while reading the 6th volume of “My struggle� by Knausgard. He was huge fan. And I can see now quite a strong influence of Gombrowicz on Knausgard work. In fact, he might be a trigger for examining Hitler’s life in 200 pages essay within the 6th volume. At one point, Gombrowicz is exclaiming: “Nations of the world, do you still believe that Hitler was only a German?� Knausgard probably took it just like his starting point then. Both are quite contrarians and have strong opinions. But the difference is that Gombrowicz never focuses on the banal or the mundane.
The diary was written with the idea of publication. In there, he discusses his novels, his views on philosophy and politics or other writers. He is not big fan of Dante, Proust or Borges’s fans. But he likes Sartre and does not mind Senkevich, Milosz and Shultz. Though he finds a few faults with those as well.
He is very self-centred to the point of being narcissistic. Famously, his diary starts from 4 days entries just Monday: Me. Tuesday: Me, and another two days of just that. But he is passionate, he is antinationalist , he is youth lover and a defender of the individual. I liked to read about Argentina through his eyes.
Many parts were very alive and interesting, but quite a few others were the polemics with Polish emigration culture which I did not care about.
I guess it is worth reading if you are interested in the alternative thinking from the middle of the last century or if you are fascinated by the precursors of the modern auto fiction. But it might be better to dip into him rather then dive in.
It took me almost 6 months to read this Diary. I found out about its existence while reading the 6th volume of “My struggle� by Knausgard. He was huge fan. And I can see now quite a strong influence of Gombrowicz on Knausgard work. In fact, he might be a trigger for examining Hitler’s life in 200 pages essay within the 6th volume. At one point, Gombrowicz is exclaiming: “Nations of the world, do you still believe that Hitler was only a German?� Knausgard probably took it just like his starting point then. Both are quite contrarians and have strong opinions. But the difference is that Gombrowicz never focuses on the banal or the mundane.
The diary was written with the idea of publication. In there, he discusses his novels, his views on philosophy and politics or other writers. He is not big fan of Dante, Proust or Borges’s fans. But he likes Sartre and does not mind Senkevich, Milosz and Shultz. Though he finds a few faults with those as well.
He is very self-centred to the point of being narcissistic. Famously, his diary starts from 4 days entries just Monday: Me. Tuesday: Me, and another two days of just that. But he is passionate, he is antinationalist , he is youth lover and a defender of the individual. I liked to read about Argentina through his eyes.
Many parts were very alive and interesting, but quite a few others were the polemics with Polish emigration culture which I did not care about.
I guess it is worth reading if you are interested in the alternative thinking from the middle of the last century or if you are fascinated by the precursors of the modern auto fiction. But it might be better to dip into him rather then dive in.
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Reading Progress
July 15, 2019
–
Started Reading
July 15, 2019
– Shelved
August 25, 2019
–
52.0%
"It is a very lengthy and slow-going one. Some of it is brilliantly written and very fascinating, especially his thoughts about Argentina and its people, and some other people writers. Some of it is boring. And he is so self-centred. I can see why Knausgaard loved him. But good reading overall in low doses."
August 25, 2019
–
52.0%
December 29, 2019
–
Finished Reading
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Kalliope
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Dec 29, 2019 01:38PM
A very fair appraisal.
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Sorry, Kal. I’ve just seen your comment. I’ve never read diaries before. And this year I’ve read this and another one by Ricardo Piglia. Both are made with the idea of publication so more cultural than intimate ones. I think I can see the attraction of this sub genre and probably will read more.
Your review makes me wonder about the different intentions authors can have when writing a diary, Katia - I think many of them bear in mind their diary could be published, but maybe few are the ones who intend so explicitely. Gombrowicz meant to publish his from the beginning? Did you read other work of him before? I have listed this but will take your advise to heart to read in low doses, thank you :-).
Ilse wrote: "Your review makes me wonder about the different intentions authors can have when writing a diary, Katia - I think many of them bear in mind their diary could be published, but maybe few are the one..."Yes, Ilse. I've never read the published diaries before the last year properly. I thin you are right in terms of the writers. I think, being a writer (or a politician) made them subconsciously pay attention to possible publication of their diaries. So they write with that in mind, at least partly. But this one is a step up. Apparently, it was relatively popular subgenre in the 60s. I think Andre Gide has done something similar and some other, predominantly French writers.
Gombrowicz was offered to publish his diary relatively early in its creation. I think he mentioned that he writes one in the one of his articles and was offered to publish them by a Polish emigrant newspaper as a column. Later, they were publish in 3 volumes and widely translated. Interestingly, both diaries I've read are written by the authors in Argentina. Gombrowicz was there in emigration. And Piglia was an Argentinian author. In contrast to G, he was writing his diaries whole life and they were not initially for publication. Later, he re-edited it and presented it more like a meta-novel. I preferred his project. But maybe because it is closer in time, less about his ego and more about literature.
But G is interesting as a rebel I guess. And he is very good when he talks about philosophy, I wish he would do it more though. I came to him from Knausgaard. And if you like Knausgaard, you might like him. But I still recommend in low doses:-)
I have not read his author novels. I think "Pornography" would be interesting. But I think, based upon his description, they would be a bit too avangarde even for me:-) I have Ferdydurke on my shelves.
i am planning a trip and compiling ideas for books. Reading an interview with Vila-Matas he mentioned his love of dairies and mentioned Gombrowicz whom I have been aware of. Additionally, I still have Piglia (2) on my shelf and Levrero's Luminous Novel.Reading your review is helpful. having survived a narcissistic father and still traumatized by Trump I will pass on G. and look
towards the other 2 books mentioned.
Always appreciative of your thoughts. Be well. Wishing you a healthy and happy new year.
Bert wrote: "i am planning a trip and compiling ideas for books. Reading an interview with Vila-Matas he mentioned his love of dairies and mentioned Gombrowicz whom I have been aware of. Additionally, I still h..."Thank you, Bert - a trip! Wow, you made me jealous - it has been almost two years I left the country:-) I hope you enjoy your trip and discover a lot of new stuff in the process! I would agree with putting G aside considering what you've mentioned. Piglia would be much more suitable companion. Is it Argentina you are going to again? There is the third PIglia as well. Levrero is on my list but I have not read him yet. Did you consider Pitol? But he is not Argentina -relevant though:-) There are also brilliant 3 books "Conversations with Borges" by Osvaldo Ferrari. They might be relevant.
Happy festive holidays to you and yours! Thank you for all your wonderful ideas, comments and shared articles this year! Stay safe and best wishes.
not ready for overseas trip and the next one will probably be London-Amsterdam though Buenos Aires is a distinct possibility.planning 10 weeks in Florida- in Miami which is the only location there with comparable vaccination rates to NYC.
while I have a library card there, I always bring at least 1 book from home for the airport and ride. Pitol is a good reminder- i have always been interested in his trilogy.
I am not familiar with the Ferrari book though I do have 2 other Conversations with Borges- by Burgin and then with Sorrentino; can never get enough of Borges.
Abrazos!
