Literature & Philosophy Reading Group: Lispector’s The Passion According to GH
Details
In this monthly reading group, we will discuss novels and short stories that rely less on plot and more on the description of sensations, extraordinary experiences and new modes of perceiving reality and relating to others. We will be interested in exploring the various consequences that certain encounters with otherness can bring to a life, and we’ll draw on the ideas of different philosophers (Deleuze, Nietzsche, Spinoza, etc.) to enrich our reading of the texts.
In February we will discuss together The Passion According to G. H. (1964), a little gem by Brazilian author Clarice Lispector, which describes in first person the slow process of complete disorganization (or we might as well say becoming) that a woman goes through after the encounter with a cockroach, and how she gets to experience life in a radically new way.
What would life look like if we subtracted everything that humans —at least some version of humanity— add to it in order to organize it, make it comprehensible and less frightening? What would life feel like if we let go of our sense of self, our moral and aesthetic values, stories and meaning, a sense of time, and all of the endless constructions that we place on top of life? Would that be freedom? Would that be hell? Would it even be possible for us to get in touch with raw, inhuman… life? And if yes, how on earth could one tell the experience afterwards?
This short novel is the most wild, beautiful and experimental elaboration on these questions.
Everyone is welcome to the discussion. The only requisite to participate is having read the novel beforehand, because discussions are on topic. Bring your thoughts, questions, and the passages you have underlined!
I hope you can come!
(Warning: the sessions might be recorded.)
You can easily find a pdf version of the novel in internet.
Our online meeting will take place in Discord, so please make sure to join our Discord group beforehand!
Here is the invitation to our group:
https://discord.gg/DEcXZDgXZj
If you have any doubts or you are not familiar with this platform, please send me a message and I’ll help you.