The Thought House of Philippa
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About this ebook
Suzanne Leblanc's The Thought House of Philippa transposes a theory of individuality into a stunningly reflective, sensuous and frank philosophical novel. Setting the chapters in the various rooms of the house Ludwig Wittgenstein designed for his sister in Vienna, Leblanc's novel lays out P.'s intensely emotional and intellectually acute way of seeing the world and her place in it. Prompted by early isolation, P. moves towards the Great World of others and Nature, alienated from the everyday, yet devoted to a deeper connection, in an exploration that is profound and moving. Ideas crucial to Wittgenstein's work—limit, freedom, interior and exterior, self and world—echo and shift in Leblanc's precise, incantatory prose, propelled through the architecture. The distinct voices of the novel's four sections act as musical movements, constructed from repetition, variation and development of language, in alternating keys of austerity and splendour. The effect—a pure expression of the passion of clear thought, the adventure of solitude, and the beauty of uncompromising encounter—is utterly riveting. A sui generis experimental novel not to be missed.
Suzanne LeBlanc
Dea Warford has ministered in all 50 states and a number of foreign countries. He and his wife, Kathy, also pastored or planted churches in five states. They reside in the Los Angeles area. Their two children, Nathan Warford and Carissa Hawksworth, and their son-in-law Andrew Hawksworth, are all professors at Christian universities.
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The Thought House of Philippa - Suzanne LeBlanc
The Thought House of Philippa
The Thought House of Philippa
Suzanne Leblanc
Translated by
Oana Avasilichioaei & Ingrid Pam Dick
BookThug 2015
FIRST EDITION
original text copyright © 2015 La Peuplade and Suzanne Leblanc
English translation © 2015 Oana Avasilichioaei and Ingrid Pam Dick
Originally published in French by La Peuplade, 2010
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or any information storage or retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.
The production of this book was made possible through the generous assistance of The Canada Council for the Arts and The Ontario Arts Council.
We acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada through the National Translation Program for Book Publishing for our translation activities.
LIBRARY AND ARCHIVES CANADA CATALOGUING IN PUBLICATION
Leblanc, Suzanne, 9 December 1952 –
[Maison à penser de P. English]
The thought house of Philippa / Suzanne Leblanc ; translated by Oana Avasilichioaei, Ingrid Pam Dick. – First English edition.
Translation of: La maison à penser de P.
Issued in print and electronic formats.
ISBN 978-1-77166-111-6 (EPUB.)
I. Avasilichioaei, Oana, translator II. Dick, Ingrid Pam, translator III. Title. IV. Title: Maison à penser de P. English.
PS8623.E356M3313 2015 C843’.6 C2015-900814-X
PRINTED IN CANADA
About this book
Suzanne Leblanc’s The Thought House of Philippa transposes a theory of individuality into a stunningly reflective, sensuous, and frank philosophical novel. Setting the chapters in the various rooms of the house Ludwig Wittgenstein designed for his sister in Vienna, Leblanc’s novel builds an architectural foundation for the main character’s intensely emotional and intellectually acute way of seeing the world and her place in it. Prompted by an experience of isolation early in her life, P.
(Philippa) moves towards the great world of others and nature — alienated from the everyday and yet devoted to a deeper connection — in an exploration that is profound and moving. Ideas crucial to Wittgenstein’s work — limit, freedom, interior and exterior, self and world — echo and shift in Leblanc’s precise, incantatory prose, propelled through the house’s architecture. The distinct voices of the novel’s four sections act as musical movements, constructed from repetition, variation and development of language, in alternating keys of austerity and splendour. The effect — a pure expression of the passion of clear thought, the adventure of solitude, and the beauty of uncompromising encounter — is utterly riveting. A sui generis experimental novel not to be missed.
for Luc
Chorale I
It was a house of which I knew nothing but the plans and several images. It had been constructed at the beginning of my century, the twentieth, in a city, Vienna, which proved decisive. This was well before I was born, by way of a philosopher whom I read at length, much later. His work had convinced me. I admired his life. The house was simple and austere, and I was rigorous and frank.
Pantry
Ground floor
Chorale II
This house drawn from the philosopher’s existence called up another in my own. I had reflected on the first while of the second I had forgotten everything. I linked an intellectual image to an emotive one. The connection was arbitrary. The philosopher’s work had convinced me, and I admired his life. The connection was singular. It contained a question and the discipline to traverse it.
East servant’s bedroom
Third floor
Chorale III
The house was a method. It was exact and simple. It was austere and obsessive. It issued from a life consecrated to the life of the mind.