Book Review: "The Lover" by Marguerite Duras (Pt.1)

"The story of my life doesn't exist."

- "The Lover" by Marguerite Duras

This is a reread yes, but honestly I always have loved the prose of Marguerite Duras, especially in the book The Lover. It's a short book which is included in the three works of the Everyman Edition of her works. I haven't read her works for a number of years and so, when I found this book of three of her works on the shelf of the public library, I could not help myself. Otherwise, it's late July and my mental health...well, it's not spiralling but it could definitely be better. I would love to see if Marguerite Duras could solve it, god knows I'm going to try. I too often feel like the story of my life does not exist. I guess everyone feels that way from time to time.

The story is set in French Colonial Indochina which is actually just Vietnam in today's world and our protagonist is a 15-year-old French girl who meets a wealthy Chinese man in his late-20s and they fall in love. Yes, it's going to make your toes curl because of her age and by societal standards back then that doesn't seem to be the main issue. The main issue is money. He's wealthy, her family isn't. Her family continuously receives financial aid from him and are happy to do so even though everyone is a little on edge about the relationship that's going on. Though again, I don't think that is to do with age, it's suggested to be more of a racial and political thing. Marguerite Duras is doing what she does best - she's presenting us with a deeply problematic relationship but also forces us to see each side of it.

For example: the family she comes from is dysfunctional. Her older brother is abusive as hell and her younger brother is loved. She seems to be largely monetary fodder by other people though it is clear that her mother wanted her to attend high school. Be that as it may, because she is a girl, there's an extra layer of gender difference there. This also means that whilst in public, she can't really acknowledge the relationship because she's surrounded by a largely male household. Reputations are at stake and so, she must openly disdain her lover because of these racial and political differences. Even though the family themselves are poorer than the lover. There's something deep and profound about this and again, Duras forces us to confront the prejudices that make up society and how they may still hold up against means. Someone may have the means, even more so, but they cannot escape who they are - their identity remains and will always be seen first.

Duras is basically telling us that even though there is something transactional about the relationship for the family of the protagonist, there is still no future in it. This is deeply painful for the main character and for her lover. But that is the way society is formed. Marguerite Duras' writing is melancholic throughout but is especially depressing when the main character realises that nothing will come of the relationship. It might be beautiful to read, but that doesn't mean it is not political, or upsetting, or even something profoundly difficult to accept for both parties. The main character prepares herself to leave for France from Vietnam - she can no longer stay behind. It isn't until many years' later that she receives a phone call from her former lover who states that he never stopped loving her for a second. It might seem like a love story, but it is imbued with politics, silences and manipulations by society.

I am still uncomfortable about the ages of the characters though. It creeps me out and makes me feel a bit sick.

All in all, I'm glad you've come back on this journey with me into the works of Marguerite Duras. And of course, due to the fact I've got three of these books in one, I will be reading and reviewing the other two as well. Next up, we have Wartime Notebooks, another book I read quite a while back. I hope you too choose to pick up some books by this author. She is incredible.

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