Lydie Salvayre's 'La méthode Mila' Takes on Descartes and Philosophy
Lydie Salvayre's latest novel 'La méthode Mila', published by Éditions du Seuil, positions literature against philosophy, specifically targeting René Descartes and rationalism. The book centers on Madame Mila, a delirious and superlative clairvoyant who embodies the irrational, the magma of drives, and the uncontrollable affects—love, hatred—that philosophy cannot articulate. Salvayre's method maintains a first-person narrative and humor, refusing to yield on the violence of the human soul. The work is praised for its ability to ironize contemporary discourses, including vulgar common sense and spectacular commercial chatter, while affirming literature's capacity to address what reason cannot. The review by Emmanuel Tibloux highlights that the novel reassures readers of literature's health when it can take on such challenges.
Key facts
- Lydie Salvayre's 'La méthode Mila' is published by Éditions du Seuil.
- The novel is written against philosophy, specifically targeting René Descartes.
- The title character, Madame Mila, is a clairvoyant who embodies irrationality and uncontrollable affects.
- The book ironizes rationalism, vulgar common sense, and commercial spectacle.
- The review is written by Emmanuel Tibloux.
- The novel maintains a first-person narrative and humor.
- It references Queneau's Madame Saphir from 'Le Dimanche de la vie'.
- The work is described as reassuring for literature's capacity to address the heterogeneous and irrational.
Entities
Artists
- Lydie Salvayre
- René Descartes
- Emmanuel Tibloux
- Raymond Queneau
Institutions
- Éditions du Seuil
Sources
- artpress —