Passing Through Life

A reflection on the Odyssey years of life.

Thoughts on uncertainty, changing perspectives, and starting anew in a new year.

Perhaps every summer we live is both a beginning and a farewell — a season we never truly finish living.

First steps into adulthood — wearing a suit, starting a first full-time job, and learning to balance professionalism with the innocence of the inner child.

In this episode of Passing Through Life , we dive into Zhang Ailing’s haunting novella Red Rose, White Rose — a sharp exploration of desire, idealization, and emotional cowardice. Through the life of Tong Zhenbao, we reflect on the women we turn into symbols, the choices we make out of fear, and the regret that lingers when love is lost. Join me as we unravel this quiet yet devastating story, and...

In this episode, we delve into Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë — a timeless tale of independence, resilience, and the quest for authenticity. Through the eyes of Jane, a young woman forced to grow up amid rejection and unfairness, we witness her struggles to remain true to herself while navigating love, temptation, and moral dilemmas. This is a story about choosing dignity over submission, compassio...

In this episode, we follow Harold Fry, a man who sets out on a remarkable pilgrimage across England — on foot, with just the clothes on his back — in a quest for redemption, reconciliation, and peace. Through his improbable voyage, Harold reflects on regret, kindness, friendship, and the power of small gestures to transform a life. Together, we’ll delve into the profound messages within Rachel Joy...

In this episode of Passing Through Life , we delve into Norwegian Wood by Haruki Murakami — a profound story about love, loss, and growing up. Through Toru’s memories and relationships, we explore the delicate balance between letting go of the past and embracing the future, the struggles of understanding ourselves, and the healing power of connection. Join me as we reflect on the universal pains a...

In this episode of Passing Through Life , we delve into The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini — a powerful story about redemption, loyalty, and the enduring bonds of friendship. Through the struggles of Amir and Hassan, we explore the weight of regret, the chance for reconciliation, and the way understanding and compassion can heal even the deepest wounds. Join me as we reflect on what it truly means...

In this episode of Passing Through Life , I explore The Razor’s Edge by William Somerset Maugham — a novel that quietly yet powerfully asks what it means to live a meaningful life. Through the story of Larry Darrell, a man who walks away from wealth and comfort to seek inner peace, we reflect on ambition, disillusionment, spiritual searching, and the courage to live outside society’s expectations....

Dans cet épisode entièrement en français, je vous parle de mon livre préféré : L’Étranger d’Albert Camus. C’est le premier roman que j’ai aimé en apprenant le français, et il continue de me bouleverser à chaque relecture. Pourquoi Meursault refuse-t-il de jouer le jeu des émotions attendues ? Qu’est-ce que l’absurde, et pourquoi Camus en fait-il une forme de liberté ? Comment vivre dans un monde s...

In this episode, I take you into the heart of the Sahara with Sanmao, whose luminous memoir Stories of the Sahara captures a life both harsh and extraordinary. Through her eyes, we witness a world full of raw beauty, unpredictable adventure, and the quiet power of companionship. At the center of her story stands José — her husband, her anchor. His love is not dramatic, but constant and true. I’ve...

For a long time, I believed life was always somewhere else — just beyond the next goal, the next achievement, the next version of myself. I rushed through milestones, convinced that happiness would greet me once I arrived. But somewhere along the way, I began to realize: life isn’t waiting down the road. It’s right here, in this moment. In this episode of Passing Through Life , inspired by Milan K...

In this episode of Passing Through Life , Maxime reflects on The Painted Veil by W. Somerset Maugham—a story of betrayal, redemption, and self-discovery set against the haunting backdrop of cholera-stricken China. Through the quiet transformation of Kitty Fane, we explore what it means to lose everything we once believed in, only to discover something more honest, more human, and ultimately more m...

In this episode of Passing Through Life , Maxime invites you into the delicate, haunting world of André Aciman’s Find Me . Through gentle storytelling and quiet reflection, we explore how love lingers across time—sometimes as memory, sometimes as longing, and sometimes as a quiet return. From the chance encounter of Samuel and Miranda to Elio’s quiet ache and Oliver’s late awakening, this episode...

In this reflective episode of Passing Through Life , host Maxime invites you into the quiet woods of Walden Pond to explore the timeless wisdom of Henry David Thoreau’s classic work, Walden . What does it mean to live deliberately? Why did Thoreau choose a simple cabin over a comfortable life in town? And what can his 19th-century experiment in solitude, simplicity, and self-discovery teach us in...