Published in 1954," The Book of My Mother "is a novel by Albert Cohen, Swiss writer particularly known for his major work "Belle du Seigneur."
In this book could have been called "The book on my mother," the author recalls the first woman in his life, the one and only, the mother sweet and sacrificial throughout his life devoted himself to the happiness of his family, even put his life as a woman altogether.
From intimate details showing their journey from arrival at Marseilles, the author discusses the symbiotic relationship for this mother-son: the isolation and lack of social life because of their Eastern origins contributed to their decline one on the another.
" There was also a cake shop where she listened to the conversation a little well-dressed ladies, while eating a cake, comfort the lonely. She participated as she could, merely humbly these poor entertainment always a spectator, not an actress.
His life was still going to the movies alone. These characters on the screen, it was admitted into their company. She cried to the woes of these beautiful Christian ladies.
It was an isolated all his life, a shy child whose head was too fat stuck eagerly to the window of the bakery's office. I do not know why I tell the sad life of my mother. It is perhaps for revenge. "p.59
Both spent much time together between the theater and walking in summer and when he went to study at the University of Geneva, took his mother used to visit him few weeks a year.
Each trip was a celebration and an opportunity for a mother to watch over her son. Watching each of her returns, she could not fall asleep before you know it comfortably.
admiring, naive, stupid, greedy, always seeking the approval of the overprotected son, this woman at once so present for his son and so little for itself can only wait.
hard not to give in to tears when reading such a tribute. The author multiplies anecdotes, happy little life moments that suggest any complicity of a mother and son but quickly faced the grim reality that this woman is older and carries with it the childhood of his son.
"Crying his mother is crying her childhood. The man wants a child, wants it back, and he loves his mother more as he gets older, it because his mother is his childhood. I was a child, I am not anymore and I can not believe it. "p.33
" Yes, go to sleep, sleep has the advantages death without its minor inconvenience. Let us set in the cozy coffin. I wish I could take off, as the toothless his dentures he puts in a glass of water near his bed, remove my brain of its box, remove my heart beating too, poor bugger that's too much his duty, off my brain and my heart and swimming, these two poor billionaires in solutions refreshing while I sleep like a baby that I'll never be. There are few humans and suddenly the world is desert. "p.99
The author expresses his regret and tries to forgive himself for not having always managed to make this woman the love she lavished on him, often preferring the company of mistresses or leaving aside the high society he frequented, for fear that if this woman simply does not make him ashamed.
You will understand, "The Book of My Mother" is both a declaration of love for a son to his mother but also the confession of a man suddenly become an orphan.
reader tips easily from one emotion to another as the amused tone of the story always ends up giving the place with tragic when the author realizes that his memories a thing of the past.
" pain, it is not always expressed with noble words. It can come out of sad little jokes, little old grinning from the windows of my dead eyes. " p.136
" Having pain is live is to be, it will be yet. "p.141
" The Book of My Mother "is a mixed history of complicity and missed appointments told by a broken man that nostalgia prevents him from continuing to live a pure miracle that I can than you!
"The terrible from the dead, their gestures of life in our memory. For then, they lived horribly and we do not understand anything. "p.85
" The memories, this terrible life that is not life and that hurts. "p.164
"The book of my mother" was my sixth reading under the Challenge Favourites organized by Theoma. This was the favorite chosen by Calypso, as saying that I fully agree!
Another opinion: Theoma 
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