A pensive little slip of a diary centered around trips to a grocery store. I never really know how to evaluate works like this, which really are just collections of thoughts. I worked at a grocery store for a year or so so definitely found it an interesting read. This Ernaux’s really got something!

Nobelist Ernaux has written an initially compelling study of a superstore in France called Auchan (think, Walmart) and every aspect from the standpoint of an observer on marketing strategies, product placement, pricing, sociological implications, customers, staff, departments (i.e. fish, pharmacy, bakery, bookstore, etc.) and the satellite stores such as McDonalds, a bowling alley, a news and tobacco shop along side. She kept a journal of her observations for many months and ends this eighty-page journal with
"As the months went by, I was able to measure the controlling force exerted by mass production spaces in real and imaginary ways. By provoking desires at dictated times, its violence equally present in the colorful profusion of yogurt flavors as in the gray everyday deals aisles, and by reinforcing social stigmas through the accommodation of individuals with low incomes. The items purchased whether in a little heap or a toppling mountain on the conveyor belt, are nearly always among the cheapest. Upon leaving the superstore, I was often overwhelmed by a sense of helplessness and injustice. But for all that, I have not ceased to feel the appeal of the place and the community life, subtle and specific, that exists there."
Alas, I ceased to feel the appeal of her book midway and put it down. ( )

Interesting reflections and observations of what is often made invisible in mundanity. ( )

Durante un año, Annie Ernaux llevó un diario de sus visitas al hipermercado Alcampo del centro comercial de Les Trois-Fontaines, en la región parisina. En él, anotó sus observaciones, esforzándose por dirigir una mirada nueva, por captar lo imperceptible. «Ver para escribir, es ver de otra manera», afirma. A ratos divertida, o enternecida, a ratos indignada, Annie va descifrando las estrategias comerciales, se rebela contra los estereotipos que descubre en cada sección, y describe el ballet ininterrumpido de empleados y clientes. El hipermercado, lejos de reducirse al lugar donde se hacen las compras, adopta aquí un rostro distinto: se convierte en un gran espacio de citas, en un auténtico espectáculo humano.

Una captura impresionista del mundo de la gran distribución donde lo cotidiano se eleva a rango de sujeto literario.

Urtebetez elikatu du Annie Ernauxek Trois-Fontaineseko zentro komertzialeko Auchan hipermerkatura egindako bisiten egunkaria. “Beste era batera ikusten dira gauzak, idazteko behatzen badira”, idatzi du. Saltoki handien mundua azalduko digu, bada, idazleak. Erosketak egitearen alde “nekagarria” alde batera utzita, beste alderdi bati erreparatu dio Ernauxek: gizakien arteko hitzordu erraldoia omen dira, erabateko ikuskizuna. Sentipen pertsonalik eta oharrik gabeko zerrenda moduko horren bidez, subjektu literarioaren duintasuna iritsi du hipermerkatuak, denok, edo gehienok, joan ohi garen familia-giroko eremu horrek.