Hello
Gentle Reader
In
the nineteen-fifties the “Nouveau Roman,” (or “New Novel,”) was all fashionable
and experimental way in which writers rejected the traditional elements of a
plot, character, and omniscient narrator, in favour of a novel which acted in a
chaotic manner in order to better capture the realities of ‘experience.’ Famous
writers of this period include: Alain Robbe-Grillet, Marguerite Duras, Nathalie
Saurratte; as well as two Nobel Laureates: Claude Simon (1985) as well as an
earlier J.M.G Le Clezio (2008). Claude Simon contested his association with the
literary movement, considering himself more inclined towards his literary
predecessors: the modernists; particularly Marcel Proust and William Faulkner. J.M.G
Le Clezio would later reject the formal experimentation of the movement, in
favour of greater lyrical and adventurous stories. The “Nouveau Roan,” did
eventually fall out of the fashionable style, and the literary world moved on. On
August 24th, Michel Butor (one of the leading practitioners of the movement)
died at the age of 89 years old. Michel
Butor was famous for his novel: “Second Thoughts,” often classified as a staple
of the “Nouveau Roman,” where the novel chronicles a man’s thought as he
travels to Rome to rendezvous with his mistress. The unique element of the
novel is that it was written in the second person narrative style, utilizing the
‘you,’ component as the main character. Butor ceased to publish novels after
the nineteen-sixty; instead focusing greater effort and time on other projects
like essays and art books, while also teaching creative writing at numerous
universities, and later retiring from the University of Geneva in nineteen-ninety
one. Much like Claude Simon, Michel Butor was uncomfortable with the
designation of being a part of the “Nouveau Roman,” in his earlier writings,
but will be remembered for his experimental novels and writings, which helped
shape the literary fashion of the time.
Rest
in Peace, Michel Butor.
Thank-you
For Reading Gentle Reader
Take
Care
And
As Always
Stay
Well Read
M.
Mary
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