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raulbime's review
4.0
A brilliant collection of essays and they were just as fine writing as the novels that I have read by the writer. A wide range of subjects are discussed in the collection, with the focus being history and artists. With the historical essays I found that Yourcenar writes of historical figures and events with a certain coolness, and by this I mean to say that she's not so cold as to be distant and completely removed from them but also not so warm as to romanticize and idolize, a wonderful balance.
The essays on Historia Augusta, the Château de Chenonceau and C.P. Cavafy were my favorites. There's more enthusiasm with the literary essays and gives great insights on the writers (Selma Lagerlöf, C. P. Cavafy and Thomas Mann).
With the exception of having read one of Thomas Mann's books (Buddenbrooks), I had little to no knowledge about the subjects of the collection. But Yourcenar's fantastic story-telling is so captivating and her essays thoroughly informative that my ignorance wasn't as much a hindrance as I thought it would be.
The essays on Historia Augusta, the Château de Chenonceau and C.P. Cavafy were my favorites. There's more enthusiasm with the literary essays and gives great insights on the writers (Selma Lagerlöf, C. P. Cavafy and Thomas Mann).
With the exception of having read one of Thomas Mann's books (Buddenbrooks), I had little to no knowledge about the subjects of the collection. But Yourcenar's fantastic story-telling is so captivating and her essays thoroughly informative that my ignorance wasn't as much a hindrance as I thought it would be.
rowangrey's review
4.0
Full disclosure: I only read the titular essay (as preparation for a presentation I'm giving on the work/influence of G.B. Piranesi next month) but holy shit, there is some beautiful prose in here, as well as insightful analysis. I'll certainly be pulling a few quotes from Yourcenar for my presentation!
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