Exercises in Style by Raymond Queneau (English) Paperback Book

Description: Exercises in Style by Raymond Queneau, Barbara Wright A new edition of a French modernist classic - a Parisian scene told ninety-nine different ways - with new material written in homage by the likes of Jonathan Lethem, Rivka Galchen, and many more. FORMAT Paperback LANGUAGE English CONDITION Brand New Publisher Description On a crowded bus at midday, Raymond Queneau observes one man accusing another of jostling him deliberately. When a seat is vacated, the first man appropriates it. Later, in another part of town, Queneau sees the man being advised by a friend to sew a new button on his overcoat. Exercises in Style - Queneaus experimental masterpiece and a hallmark book of the Oulipo literary group - retells this unexceptional tale ninety-nine times, employing the sonnet and the alexandrine, onomatopoeia and Cockney. An "Abusive" chapter heartily deplores the events; "Opera English" lends them grandeur. Queneau once said that of all his books, this was the one he most wished to see translated. He offered Barbara Wright his "heartiest congratulations," adding: "I have always thought that nothing is untranslatable.Here is new proof." To celebrate the 65th anniversary of the 1947 French publication of Exercises de Style, New Directions has asked several writers to contribute new exercises as a tribute. Tantalizing examples include Jonathan Lethems "Cyberpunk," Harry Mathews "Phonetic Eros," and Frederic Tutens "Beatnik" exercises.This edition also retains Barbara Wrights original introduction and reminiscence of working on this book - a translation that in 2008 was ranked first on the Authors Societys list of "The 50 Outstanding Translations of the Last 50 Years." Author Biography Raymond Queneau (1903-1976) is acknowledged as one of the most influential of modern French writers, having helped determine the shape of twentieth-century French literature, especially in his role with the Oulipo, a group of authors that includes Italo Calvino, Georges Perec, and Harry Mathews, among others. Barbara Wright has translated several Raymond Queneau novels; indeed, as John Updike wrote in The New Yorker, she "has waltzed around the floor with the Master so many times by now that she follows his quirky French as if the steps were in English." She has also translated works by Alain Robbe-Grillet, Robert Pinget, Nathalie Sarraute, and Marguerite Duras. She lives in London. Review "Exercises in Style was a revolution, a book that proclaimed its powerful ideas simply by pursuing their iron logic." -- The Washington Post "What makes the book compelling is seeing this same, banal tale told through a huge variety of literary styles, from science fiction to rhyme, haiku to official letter. The variety in its repetition becomes at first odd, then hilarious as more and more absurd forms are chosen." -- The Huffington Post "This witty, bizarre read is perfect for dipping into, or reading from cover to cover, for anybody who loves storytelling." -- The Huffington Post "It will remind you of just how weird and infinite human language is." -- Raphael Rubinstein - BOMBlog "Exercises in Style is an irresistibly simple and frequently hilarious demonstration of the potential of language." -- The Believer Logger "Its fair to say that Exercises in Style turns the current thinking about writing entirely, and brilliantly, on its head." -- Yuka Igarashi - The New Inquiry "Its a testament to Queneaus ability as a writer, and just as interestingly, it sort of blows apart the idea of how many ways a story can be told-and how style can be more important than content." -- Chad W. Post - Three Percent Review Text "Exercises in Style Review Quote "What makes the book compelling is seeing this same, banal tale toldthrough a huge variety of literary styles, from science fiction torhyme, haiku to official letter. The variety in its repetition becomesat first odd, then hilarious as more and more absurd forms are chosen." Details ISBN0811220354 Author Barbara Wright Audience Age 18-22 Publisher New Directions Publishing Corporation Language English Translator Barbara Wright ISBN-10 0811220354 ISBN-13 9780811220354 Media Book Format Paperback Birth 1903 Death 1976 Year 2013 Short Title EXERCISES IN STYLE Series New Directions Books Illustrations Yes Imprint New Directions Publishing Corporation Place of Publication New York Country of Publication United States AU Release Date 2013-03-08 NZ Release Date 2013-03-08 US Release Date 2013-03-08 UK Release Date 2013-03-08 Pages 228 Publication Date 2013-03-08 Replaces 9780811207898 DEWEY 848.91207 Audience General We've got this At The Nile, if you're looking for it, we've got it. With fast shipping, low prices, friendly service and well over a million items - you're bound to find what you want, at a price you'll love! TheNile_Item_ID:137295043;

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