Writing an essay on why it's hard to read Tournier's The Ogre when you've researched the Holocaust

[skull_bearer]

It's a bit like standing on tracks, watching the train come and knowing exactly what's going to happen if not how. Not that it's too direct or obvious, but there are a number of themes that feel like Tournier is standing behind you with a hammer called Auschwitz and beating you over the head with it. It's really, really obvious how this is going to end. Those themes of Canada and Atmospheric density and twins are not heading to a good place.

Comments

[cmcmck.livejournal.com]

I know what you mean.

You know I'm a historian and you know my background.

I've just finished reading Gerwarth's biography of Heydrich and it was one of the hardest things I've ever done.