By analyzing, down to the smallest detail, the novel Sarrasine by Balzac, Barthes proceeds to dissect a literary text as only he is capable of doing. He thus provides a precious lesson in textual interpretation. This book results from a two-year seminar (1968 and 1969) held at the École Pratique des Hautes Études. This in-depth reading gave me a more precise and realistic notion of the novel "Sarrasine" by Honoré de Balzac.

Presented and read for class. Very difficult piece of theory, WNF if it weren’t for ^. Barthes had way too much time on his hands. Would appreciate more in a different circumstance.

(read 4 school)

By analyzing, down to the smallest detail, the novel Sarrasine by Balzac, Barthes proceeds to dissect a literary text as only he is capable of doing. He thus provides a precious lesson in textual interpretation. This book results from a two-year seminar (1968 and 1969) held at the École Pratique des Hautes Études. This in-depth reading gave me a more precise and realistic notion of the novel "Sarrasine" by Honoré de Balzac.

the next time someone implies that my discipline well, isn't a discipline, I'm going to throw this book at them. while I don't think I'll ever totally emulate Barthes (a singular soul indeed), this book is doing a lot to explain to me how the close reading I already do works, and how I might be more rigorous in my practice. and his insights are always a joy.