While reading this tableau of everything and everyone in Paris around 1817, a feeling stirred within me, reminding me of something. Then it hit me—I teach a course on the theory of history, and when discussing postmodern or deconstructionist history, we explore Gumbrecht’s “In 1926,” an example of experimental history writing. Gumbrecht crafted a book that allows readers to start from any part, lacking a conventional beginning and end. His aim was to immerse the reader in 1926, presenting short chapters about various aspects of life during that year.
It appears that Hugo was innovative and postmodernist even before postmodernism was coined. Although his portrayal of 1817 focuses more on political and cultural life than on social and economic aspects, it serves the purpose of conveying an impression of what was happening around that time. The challenge lies in the fact that many of the names mentioned may fly over the heads of modern readers. Even I had to consult some of Donougher’s notes. I can imagine the difficulties faced by those without a historical background.
