BLUE OF THE SKY

Synopsis of Blue of Noon:

After publishing three of Georges Bataille’s works in the La sonrisa vertical collection, it's time to introduce another classic of erotic literature. Blue of Noon was written by Bataille in 1935, but as he admits in the preface, he abandoned it for a long time. The Spanish Civil War and the ensuing global turmoil made him feel the work had lost its relevance. It wasn’t until 1957, at the urging of friends, that Bataille decided to publish it with the help of his French editor, J.J. Pauvert.

Despite its bright title, this novel dives into the transgression of conventional moral norms, embarking on a risky quest: learning about death and exploring the ‘impossible’ allure of that blue sky, captivating yet daunting. The tale weaves through London, Paris, and Barcelona, creating a backdrop of ruin and decadence. Within this setting, the protagonist Troppman, through nights of excess, insomnia, and peculiar rituals, approaches a new form of purity: communion with death through the discovery of the sordid.

Blue of Noon encapsulates many of the themes that obsessed Bataille throughout his life: ideologies, death, ecstatic states, and erotica. For over a decade, various Bataille works have been featured in different collections, such as El verdadero Barba Azul, Eroticism, Story of the Eye, My Mother, Madame Edwarda followed by the Dead Man, and Tears of Eros.

About the author of Blue of Noon:

Georges Bataille was born in Billon, France, in 1897 and passed away in Malmaison in 1962. Despite his preference to stay in the background, he became one of Europe’s most influential and innovative thinkers between the world wars. He founded several prominent magazines, including Documents and Critique. Some of his most pivotal essays are Literature and Evil, Eroticism, Inner Experience, and The Accursed Share. In erotic literature, his unforgettable works include Story of the Eye, My Mother, Madame Edwarda, and Blue of Noon. For Bataille, every act of creation was a personal triumph involving taboo-breaking, particularly regarding eroticism and death.

Why is it ideal for Advanced?

• The blue of the sky is a novel that explores complex themes such as death, ecstasy, and the transgression of moral norms, which requires a reader with prior experience in erotic literature and an affinity for profound philosophical themes.
• Georges Bataille's work is known for its depth and thematic complexity, making it recommended for those already familiar with his literary style and looking for a greater intellectual challenge.
• The scenarios and rituals described in the novel, such as nights of excess and communion with death, may be disturbing for novice readers, requiring an open and mature mindset.
• The narrative includes references to historical events like the Spanish Civil War, which implies that the reader should have a certain level of maturity to contextualize and process their impact on the plot.