"Marshlands" by André Gide; Preface by Dubravka Ugresic and Translated from French to English by Damion Searls

 

Marshlands

by André Gide

NYRB, 978-1-68137-472-7

"Marshlands" is the best book I read regarding being a writer and writing a book. Beyond that, I love the stylish touch of having the French translated into British English, which reads like a PG Wodehouse narrative. The story is about a writer who is writing a book ("Marshlands") about a reclusive fellow who lives in a stone tower by himself. Usually, one thinks of a writer as writing themselves into their narratives. Still, the author is nothing like his character named Tityrus. In fact, his life is totally the opposite of being a recluse and more of a fellow traveler in the world of literary salons.  Based on Stéphane Mallarme's series of literary parties, the (grand) author André Gide makes light of these gatherings, but with a British effect due to the translation by Damion Searls, who captures the absurdity of artists not only at work but also at play. "Marshlands" plays with the reader's approach of what a novel or novella is, and Gide was in a puckish mood when he wrote this small masterpiece. The dialogue is very campy and artificial. I think Searls did the right thing for English readers by giving it an upper-British accented language. 

I believe this is Gide's second novel, and this small volume captures the essence of a writing life, which is also a social one. I think that a writer should never talk about his current project due to what happens to the author in the story. Even before having a manuscript, his fellow authors are commenting on the literary worth of "Marshlands," as well as what they heard through the grapevine. And what he's hearing ain't good!

"Marshlands" captures the essence of what we think of an author and how they feel about their work. There are books or writing that appeal to my highly humorous sensibility and expose the absurdity of everyday life. Robert Benchley comes to mind, as well as novels by Albert Cossery. I only know Gide's journals, and of course, his reputation in the French literary world. I suspect that "Marshlands" is his funniest book, and I will treasure it among all the great humorists in my library.