My Mother's House / Sido
by Colette
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Description
In "My Mother's House" and "Sido," Colette plays fictional variations on the themes of childhood, family, and, above all, her mother. Vividly alive, fond of cities, music, theater, and books, Sido devoted herself to her village, Saint-Saveur; to her garden, with its inhabitants and its animals; and, especially, to her children, particularly her youngest, whom she called Minet-Cheri. Unlike "Gigi" and "Cheri," which focus largely on sexual love and its repercussions, "My Mother's House" and show more "Sido "center on the compelling figure of a powerful, nurturing woman in late-nineteenth-century rural France, conveying the impact she had on her community and on her daughter -- who grew up to be a great writer. show lessTags
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Member Reviews
so this is her masterpiece apparently, and it was one of the last things i got around to reading by her. it makes sense it is--the best thing about colette is her vivid description of sensory experience and little daily luxuries, and such descriptions abound here and are very strong, even for her. also makes me understand why proust admired her--the best things he does with the sensual aspects of memory she does here. a truly pleasurable read.
I read this (tried) before, in French, and knew it was very beautiful and wonderful, even though I only understood about a third of it. In translation, it's miraculous - something of the passion her mother and she feel for the world of the garden, the flowers, the winds, something refreshing in the attitude to people.
A revelation. Who knew Colette could write so beautifully about nature, animals, and childhood memories? A treasure that sustained me through a very difficult period in my life.
Her novels are well written but unfit subjects, literary porn.
Her memoirs are beautiful, lyrical, warm.
Her memoirs are beautiful, lyrical, warm.
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Mothers and Daughters
114 works; 11 members
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In Our Time books
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Author Information
278+ Works 12,663 Members
Awards and Honors
Notable Lists
Series
Belongs to Publisher Series
De twintigste eeuw (35)
Work Relationships
Contains
Common Knowledge
- Canonical title
- My Mother's House / Sido
- People/Characters
- Sidonie Landoy
- First words
- The house was large, topped by a lofty garret.
Classifications
- Genres
- Fiction and Literature, General Fiction, Biography & Memoir
- DDC/MDS
- 843.912 — Literature & rhetoric French Literature French fiction 1900- 20th Century 1900-1945
- LCC
- PQ2605 .O28 .M32 — Language and Literature French, Italian, Spanish and Portuguese literatures French literature Modern literature 1900-1960
- BISAC
Statistics
- Members
- 398
- Popularity
- 77,946
- Reviews
- 4
- Rating
- (3.95)
- Languages
- Dutch, English, French, Spanish
- Media
- Paper
- ISBNs
- 12
- ASINs
- 9
