Writing
Back of the Book
Writing, one of Marguerite Duras’s last works, is a meditation on the process of writing and on her need for solitude in order to do it. In the five short pieces collected in this volume, she explores experiences that had an emotional impact on her and that inspired her to write. These vary from the death of a pilot in World War II, to the death of a fly, to an art exhibition. Two of the pieces were made into documentary films, and one was originally a short film. Both autobiographical and fictional, like much of her work, Writing displays Duras’s unique worldview and sensitive insight in her simple and poetic prose.
We Love It Because
Duras holds the unique position of one of those writers whose work has found means of expression through other forms. Engaging with Writing as a modern audience opens us up to a formally diverse experience in which we are lucky enough to be able to consider what other artists find meaningful in Duras’s work - given the complementary media attached to this work. However, it shines on its own as the source of all of the others, evoking the pleasure of art-making to this day.
Memorable Passage
The person who writes books must always be enveloped by a separation from others. That is one kind of solitude. It is the solitude of the author, of writing. To begin with, one must ask oneself what the silence surrounding one is — with practically every step one takes in a house, at every moment of the day, in every kind of light, whether light from outside or from lamps lit in daytime. This real, corporeal solitude becomes the inviolable silence of writing. I’ve never spoken of this to anyone. By the time of my first solitude, I had already discovered that what I had to do was write.
About the Author
Marguerite Duras (1914–1996) was a French novelist, playwright, and filmmaker whose literary and cinematic contributions continue to captivate audiences with their profound exploration of desire, memory, and the complexities of human relationships. Born in French Indochina, Duras's work is marked by its unique blend of introspective lyricism and stark realism. Her acclaimed novel The Lover won the Prix Goncourt and stands as a powerful testament to her ability to probe the nuances of love and colonialism. Duras's works, including Hiroshima Mon Amour and Moderato Cantabile, challenged conventional narrative structures and earned her international acclaim. An influential figure in post-war French literature and cinema, she received the Legion of Honour for her contributions. Marguerite Duras is worth knowing not only for her literary prowess but also for her trailblazing spirit, pushing artistic boundaries and offering an enduring perspective on the complexities of the human experience.
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