- Paperback: 197 pages
- Publisher: Calder Publications Ltd; New edition edition (1 May 1998)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0714542385
- ISBN-13: 978-0714542386
- Product Dimensions: 19.8 x 13 x 1.8 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
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Amazon Bestsellers Rank:
410,054 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #44 in Books > Reference > Dictionaries & Thesauri > Usage Guides
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More About the Author
Product Description
The Guardian
"Witty, playful, ingenious, it manages to transcend its own
sophistication by a sort of verbal slapstick which Miss Wright translates
into Pure Groucho Marxism."
sophistication by a sort of verbal slapstick which Miss Wright translates
into Pure Groucho Marxism."
Book Description
On a crowded bus at midday, the narrator 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, the narrator
sees the man being advised by a friend to sew another button on his
overcoat.
accusing another of jostling him deliberately. When a seat is vacated, the
first man appropriates it. Later, in another part of town, the narrator
sees the man being advised by a friend to sew another button on his
overcoat.
'Exercises in Style' retells this unexceptional tale 99 times, employing
the sonnet and the alexandrine, "Ze Frrench" and "Cockney". An "abusive"
chapter heartily deplores the events, "Opera English" lends them grandeur.
In 1947, when 'Exercises in Style' was first published in French, it led to
Queneau's election to the highly prestigious Academie Goncourt. This
virtuoso set of theme and variations is a linguistic rust-remover, a guide
to literary forms - a demonstration of the use of imagery and expletive.
But it is far too funny to be merely a pedantic thesis.
Barbara Wright's translation is a marvel of the art - much of it done in
collaboration and under the guidance of the author. The late Raymond
Queneau, novelist, poet, mathematician and editor, once told Barbara Wright
that of all his books, this was the one he most wished to see translated.
He rendered her his "heartiest congratulations", adding: "I have always
thought that nothing is untranslatable. Here is new proof. And it is
accomplished with all the intended humour."
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Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Back Cover
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
16 of 16 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Okay, so that's a bit over the top. But these stories (one story, told in many different ways, actually) make me smile, make me think about language, syntax, construction and style, and inspire me to have a go myself.
The writer uses a range of styles to explore the differences this makes to the story, and to the reader's perception of the protagonists. This book is a must for anyone who ever tried to write using different voices or in different contexts (for example, a letter has a different tone to a newspaper report, a police statement or a short story, probably).
The stunning realisation that this book is a translation from the French makes the translator seem just as remarkable as the author!
The writer uses a range of styles to explore the differences this makes to the story, and to the reader's perception of the protagonists. This book is a must for anyone who ever tried to write using different voices or in different contexts (for example, a letter has a different tone to a newspaper report, a police statement or a short story, probably).
The stunning realisation that this book is a translation from the French makes the translator seem just as remarkable as the author!
11 of 11 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Queneau was, among many other things, a brilliant gamester. In this book he takes the most banal of stories and tells it 99 times in 99 different styles. It is a weird book, whose charm grows as you continue. Once you get to the 5th or 6th version of this inane tale, you begin to laugh and gasp and don't stop until the end. Like all good jokes, it is more than a joke. If you delight in language, read this book. If you do not delight in launguage, this book will teach you to. I have read the original French version, and Barbara Wright has stayed true to it in this wonderful translation. Don't miss this gem!
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This is a fascinating book. It presents a very simple story, an encounter on a crowded tube train with a brief meeting later the same afternoon. Nothing special in that you may think. What is unique about this book is not the story, but the way in which it is presented, or ways in which it is presented to be more accurate, for the same story is presented 99 times.
Now we may at first wonder that there are nine, let alone 99 different ways of describing such a simple tale. The magic of the book is the multiplicity of styles Queneau uses. We might imagine the story told from the different perspectives of the participants. But imagine it observed passively, or described by someone hesitatingly, or with extreme precision. Imagine it told through a sonnet, or a play, or in a tactile way, as the notes in a policeman's notebook, or focussing on sounds, through spoonerisms, or by a mathematician.
The result is that one is left thinking that there are so many more ways that even such a simple story could be told.
The effect is many-fold. Never again will I be able to see a description of anything without being aware of just how partial that description must be. It illuminates the reality of multiple perspectives from which everything can be seen.
For the writer, reader, speaker and listener it changes the way you perceive the description of everything. Opening up new opportunities and raising countless new questions.
This is a truly fascinating book, which has become a timeless classic.
Now we may at first wonder that there are nine, let alone 99 different ways of describing such a simple tale. The magic of the book is the multiplicity of styles Queneau uses. We might imagine the story told from the different perspectives of the participants. But imagine it observed passively, or described by someone hesitatingly, or with extreme precision. Imagine it told through a sonnet, or a play, or in a tactile way, as the notes in a policeman's notebook, or focussing on sounds, through spoonerisms, or by a mathematician.
The result is that one is left thinking that there are so many more ways that even such a simple story could be told.
The effect is many-fold. Never again will I be able to see a description of anything without being aware of just how partial that description must be. It illuminates the reality of multiple perspectives from which everything can be seen.
For the writer, reader, speaker and listener it changes the way you perceive the description of everything. Opening up new opportunities and raising countless new questions.
This is a truly fascinating book, which has become a timeless classic.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Funny and Informative.
If you have ever struggled with a piece of writing you will appreciate this little book which cleverly shows many different ways of presenting the same short account. Read more
Published 6 months ago by Janet Cockerill
A great read, perfect for high school students or just for fun
This is a deliciously smart book that describes a simple, rather bland passage in various styles.
The fact that it is translated from the French is even more amazing, I only... Read more
The fact that it is translated from the French is even more amazing, I only... Read more
Published on 8 Jan 2010 by K. Leoungk
brilliant
A brilliant book. How can you tell a simple, everyday story in 99 different ways? I have read it in 3 different languages and I am always impressed with the translator's... Read more
Published on 7 April 2009 by Di20
How many ways are there to tell a story?
Many! any reader of this book will testify so! Playfull, but on certain occasions tirring by its repetitiveness. Read more
Published on 17 Jan 2001
It is hard to render Queneau's wit into another language.
I have not yet read the English translation Barbara Wright made of "Exercices de style". Someone else said that she "stayed true" to the original version, but... Read more
Published on 21 Jan 1999
An essential book for writers
Queneau keeps you laughing so that you almost fail to notice him slipping in a remarkable lesson about language, writing, and creativity. Read more
Published on 20 Nov 1998
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