Daniel Mendelsohns Memoir-Writing: Rings of Memory

(Hardback)

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This volume of eight essays written by French scholars analyzes Daniel Mendelsohn's first three volumes of nonfiction (The Elusive Embrace, 1999, The Lost, 2006, and An Odyssey, 2017) as well as an illustrated interview (2019) in which Mendelsohn tackles various aspects of his work as a literary and cultural critic, as a professor of classical literature, as a translator, and as a memoirist. The essays discussing The Elusive Embrace (1999) argue that, in addition to offering a subtle reflection on sexual identity and genres, Mendelsohns first volume already broadens his topic and patiently weaves links between ancient and present times, feeding his meditation with his knowledge of Greek culture and mythsa natural movement of back and forth which would become his signature. The Lost (2006), his much acclaimed investigation into the death by bullet of six of his family members during the Shoah, is analyzed as a close-up on the disappearance of a whole world, the unspeakability of which Mendelsohn addressed through intertwining several languages, linguistic echoes, and biblical references. Finally, Mendelsohns recent An Odyssey (2017) is studied as a brilliant musing on teaching Homers masterpiece while building up a memoir on his declining father sitting among his students and allowing Homers universal questions and lessons to enlighten a father and sons last journey.

Reviews

A pioneering collection exploring Daniel Mendelsohn's several works of memoir, with astute attention to their manifold dimensions, formal complexity, and literary quality. A worthy tribute to a master.

This is the first collection ever of Daniel Mendelsohns first three memoirs, preceded by a long interview offering an inspiring introduction to his work. A ground-breaking volume of essays that favors a close reading of Mendelsohns powerful texts.

Author Bio

Sophie Vallas is professor of American literature at Aix-Marseille University.