Hi again, everyone! This week, I chose to read the book Agostino by Alberto Moravia. This novel was interesting, and I was weirded out at the start of the book. I found myself interested in the narrative and the character development of Agostino. Initially, the book gave me a sense of uneasiness and peculiarity, but I was curious about how it would go. This book explores themes like identity, desire, and societal expectations. The journey of reading this novel challenged my perceptions in a way but also gave me insight into the human mind and experience.
I initially perceived Agostino as a young boy. However, as I continued reading, I found out that he is actually 13 years old and fascinated with his mother and her beauty. In his eyes, his mother was flawless and beyond reproach. She was perfection to him. Not only did Agostino view his mother through this idealized lens, but she also interacted with him in a manner fitting for a child. This dynamic between them stirred conflicting emotions within Agostino, manifesting as resentment, jealousy and a longing for his mother's attention. Which can be emotions typically experienced by a child.
I empathized with Agostino when his mother had chose to leave him alone to go out with a new man and his boat, known as a pattino. "She turned to Agostino, who had remained seated with his head bowed, intent on the sand sifting through his clenched fist, and told him to go ahead and have a swim by himself." I can relate to the experience of feeling neglected by a parent for another person, something I believe Agostino also was feeling when his mother was unexpectedly taken from him. This moment reminds me how much of an impact one person's presence or absence can have on someone's emotional state. As a psychology student, I have learned that a parent and child's bond can be powerful. When that connection is interrupted, it can negatively impact the person's mind, and emotions can significantly affect our experiences. Agostino then becomes angry and more easily irritated because he now has to accept that he must share his mother with others. He is upset that others would see his mother the way he does "in one way: dignified, serene, and discreet." He was fathomed to "see that the change that had taken place {was}... as if she were no longer the same woman."
Question: Did you find the book weird at all? Did your thoughts and opinions on the book change as you read it?
Hi Julia!
ReplyDeleteI also wrote on Agostino’s mommy issues and was a bit put off but the story. Honestly, to answer your question, this book was definitely weird but I still enjoyed the perspective it gave. At first I found it uncomfortable to be reading the weird sensual thoughts a 13 year old boy was having. However as I continued with the story I tried to view it more as a different perspective of a 13 year old boy growing up (since im a girl and never experienced what he did). It did not make the reading experience less weird but I came to appreciate the book a little more.
Hi Julia! I felt the same as you did in terms of the book seeming quite weird initially and finding the development of Agostino's character to be interesting. I like how you saw Agostino being neglected by his mother through a psychological lens. For him, his bond with his mother was broken by Renzo, and as a result, he decided to join the "gang" . I think his decision to hang out the "gang" despite not being able to fit in was directly influenced by his experience with his mother.
ReplyDeleteHello Julia, great take. I agree this was peculiar book. I think that realizing Agostino was 13 made me look at it a little differently. He's not old yet, but he's getting up there... making his proclivities a weird one to process. But, I don't think his feelings are necessarily too weird. Just a boy growing up, figuring himself out. He'll move past it.
ReplyDeleteHello Julia, great take. I agree this was peculiar book. I think that realizing Agostino was 13 made me look at it a little differently. He's not old yet, but he's getting up there... making his proclivities a weird one to process. But, I don't think his feelings are necessarily too weird. Just a boy growing up, figuring himself out. He'll move past it. ^^ republished with name
ReplyDelete"Did you find the book weird at all?"
ReplyDeleteAh, now what do you mean by that... especially as you tell us that Psychology suggests that much of what it describes is very normal! Or perhaps it's that the "normal" can also be weird?