The Joy of Archives

Jacques Derrida's 'Archive Fever' is a philosophical exploration of the nature of archives and their role in shaping our understanding of history. Derrida examines the ways in which the impulse to keep records can lead to the suppression of alternative narratives and the complexities of memory and forgetting. The book delves into the relationship between writing, memory, and the construction of identity, questioning the very notion of an objective historical record. It challenges traditional notions of archival practice and raises questions about the power dynamics inherent in the selection and preservation of historical materials. Derrida's work remains highly influential in post-structuralist thought and archival studies.

The novel, set in the early 1900s in Norfolk, England, follows Leo Colston, a 12-year-old boy who spends a summer at Brandham Hall, the home of his school friend Marcus Maudsley. Leo becomes a messenger, or 'go-between', for a forbidden love affair between Marian Maudsley, Marcus's sister, and Ted Burgess, a local farmer. As Leo navigates this complex and secretive world, he is forced to confront the harsh realities of adult relationships, class differences, and the consequences of his actions. The story is told through a flashback by an older Leo, reflecting on the traumatic events of that summer which had a lasting impact on his life.