Etre en vie et autres méditations de Bensalem Himm... in marrakech marrakech marrakech Travel Marrakech

"Is it evidence of thoughtfulness and delicacy more pure than that provided by stoïcien Emperor Aurelius, on the threshold of"thoughts for myself! ". exclaims Bensalem Himmich, in his book to the existentialist and slightly convoluted title "to be in life and other meditations".

It is in fact surprised that an emperor of the dimension of Marc-Aurèle can demonstrate humility in "(leaving any latitude to the reader to follow in his meditations written between two battles) and him take his reverence when good seemed.".

It is with this same spirit that Himmich proposes his own book. Designed as a sort of roadmap where we "catch in flight, to transcribe, sensations and rapid thoughts that cross the soul during the stealth and swiftly volatile moments", this book can seduce by its unusual approach on the part of the strict and explicit essayist as we know, but also generate curiosity on the seriousness of the existential subjects it evokes : the life, death, love, contingencies of existence...

It may also cause some irritation in the hurried reader, because of its intimate character or even esoteric. "Everything (time and mass) helps deal me hard blows on my vast and prolific irrelevance", he wrote in a chapter entitled "Confessions...". "I" However, for not succumbing, I tinker any long-term resistance art, with an arsenal of refreshing currency and tricks performance to put its foot down to my weaknesses". "It is the uncertainty that we charm, writes oscar Wild, all is wonderful in the mist". It is probably this haze, this aesthetic blur, including Bensalem Himmich envelope his words provide charm, at least with some avid readers of words and feelings in relation to the absolute.

The other, the author told them this: "the pleasure that I am myself by writing is my sole barometer, my only compass." Will other that I said to myself, it may, although on a smaller scale, the pleasure is mine; those who leave me choir, I can't anything for them, my wine is not their and my drunkenness nor. »

"Drunkenness" that this text is likely to get is variable according to chapters. If some pages are a pathetic banality, others are more inspired, more light.

It may be the essence of this kind of writing is inspired aphorisms Assembly by sudden inspiration and the circumstances, and which by definition, are independent from each other.

What is certain, is that to bring an interest in this text, and go after his reading, need less taste of drunkenness than that of the literature and culture in General, Arab classical on which the author seems to throw his vest. With the exception of a few pages dedicated to the German philosopher Nietzsche, are the leading figures of literature and thought Arab Islamic classic that get the lion's share of this text. These are such immortal names Hallaj, Rhazi, Ibn Sina, Ibn Rochd, Ibn Khaldun and many others that are the essence of this roadmap of a particular kind.

As a traveller through books, ideas, and the times. Far from the concerns of the historian, Bensalem Himmich, in this book rather ponders aspects of the history that marks the fate of the men and often illuminates the great. The history?

It is Ibn Khaldun distress at the loss of his family at sea, and his exile in Damascus, his native land, under the protection of Tamerlane. It is also the taste without restraint and his tragic end. It is still the misadventures of an Abu Nawass with wine and the pleasures of the flesh. Seen, should be initiated to the history and classical Arabic literature to address book.