SECOND THOUGHTS

by Francois Mauriac ‧ RELEASE DATE: Feb. 20, 1960

This is a pleasantly ruminative small book of essays by the well-known Catholic novelist and its first part is devoted to Literature, the second to Life. In the first section, Mauriac staunchly if somewhat illogically defends the ""detachment of the artist"" as opposed to those who are political partisans of any group, and he also records his final judgment on such writers as Proust, Maurice de Guerin, Charles de Bos, Gide, the Comtesse de Noailles, Lawrence and Shakespeare. These essays are mildly provocative rather than penetrating. Mauriac has the Frenchman's gift for lucid thought and style; the translation is excellent; but one must accept his peculiarly Catholic point of view (vide ""Literature and Sin"") which apparently even many Catholics cannot. In the section devoted to Life, Mauriac becomes more human. He shows himself a true Frenchman, devoted to the soil, to his native land, nostalgic for a life that is passing but hoping for the best in the future of a non-Communist world. He has some sad but truthful things to say about old age and children.... A book with a quiet appeal for those who have followed and enjoyed the development of this gifted writer.

Pub Date: Feb. 20, 1960

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: World

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 1, 1960

Categories: NONFICTION