Confessions

4.6

"She was more to me than a sister, a mother, a friend, or even than a mistress, and for this very reason she was not a mistress; in a word, I loved her too much to desire her..."

More of the amours of the twentysomething Jean-Jacques: here initiated into a strangely compromised manhood by his "maman" and perennial comforter -

"Was I happy? No: I felt I know-not-what invincible sadness which empoisoned my happiness, it seemed that I had committed an incest, and two or three times, pressing her eagerly in my arms, I deluged her bosom with my tears. On her part, as she had never sought pleasure, she had not the stings of remorse..."

(Introduction by Martin Geeson)

Chapters

Select a chapter to play

01 - Vol. 5: "It was, I believe, in 1732..." 17:23 Read by Martin Geeson
02 - "At that time, the study I am now speaking of..." 18:42 Read by Martin Geeson
03 - "Behold me then so full of this concert..." 16:12 Read by Martin Geeson
04 - "This is, perhaps, the only time..." 18:03 Read by Martin Geeson
05 - "However this might be..." 20:21 Read by Martin Geeson
06 - "If some false principles misled her..." 17:30 Read by Martin Geeson
07 - "At Chambery they did not give us the trouble..." 20:19 Read by Martin Geeson
08 - "I am now about to relate another..." 17:21 Read by Martin Geeson
09 - "I now touch on the moment..." 18:00 Read by Martin Geeson
10 - "My uncle Bernard died at Carolina..." 19:15 Read by Martin Geeson
11 - "Any one would allow that it would have been..." 15:36 Read by Martin Geeson
12 - Vol. 6: "Hoc erat in votis..." 25:24 Read by Martin Geeson
13 - "Having left my scholars for so long..." 25:40 Read by Martin Geeson
14 - "From these studies I passed..." 16:50 Read by Martin Geeson
15 - "The writings of Port-Royal..." 19:14 Read by Martin Geeson
16 - "My health was not yet re-established..." 17:46 Read by Martin Geeson
17 - "We arrived at Valence to dinner..." 19:52 Read by Martin Geeson
18 - "I was so much better..." 17:29 Read by Martin Geeson
19 - "My impatience to arrive at Chambery..." 22:46 Read by Martin Geeson
20 - "Insensibly, I found myself desolate and alone..." 25:15 Read by Martin Geeson

Reviews

Excellent!


Very entertaining read, and well read. Hoping Martin Geeson will continue recording the confessions. I would like to hear what happens when Rousseau goes to Paris!

More!


I love the little details in the books, and eccentricities that are either relatable or easily imagined to be. The reader is excellent, the pacing and way of speaking I find very enjoyable, and to my mind that voice is now jean-jacques. Only problem is the remaining volumes are not on librivox, hopefully this gets finished. I will have to read the rest I guess :(

good one


This installment was quite entertaining. His descriptions of his virginal "stupidity" is humorous and relatable. His discussion of his studies was also useful and enlightening. I too hope this talented reader will continue this endeavor.

good book reading style was painful to tolerate.


The over emphasis on illiteration is only good in moderation.

Wonderful!


A wonderful book, and wonderfully well read.