Research Catalog

Small worlds : minimalism in contemporary French literature

Title
Small worlds : minimalism in contemporary French literature / Warren Motte.
Author
Motte, Warren F.
Publication
Lincoln : University of Nebraska Press, ©1999.

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StatusFormatAccessCall NumberItem Location
Book/TextUse in library PQ307.M55 M68 1999Off-site

Details

Description
[ix], 212 pages; 21 cm.
Summary
Small Worlds examines the minimalist trend in French writing, from the early 1980s to the present. Warren Motte first considers the practice of minimalism in other media, such as the plastic arts and music, and then proposes a theoretical model of minimalist literature. Subsequent chapters are devoted to the work of a variety of contemporary French writers and a diversity of literary genres. In his discussion of minimalism, Motte considers smallness and simplicity, a reduction of means (and the resulting amplification of effect), immediacy, directness, clarity, repetition, symmetry, and playfulness. He argues that economy of expression offers writers a way of renovating traditional literary forms and allows them to represent human experience more directly.
Series Statement
Stages ; v. 13
Uniform Title
Stages (Series) ; v. 13.
Subject
  • 1900-1999
  • French literature > 20th century > History and criticism
  • Minimalism (Literature) > France
  • 18.25 French literature
  • French literature
  • Minimalism (Literature)
  • Postmoderne
  • Minimal Art
  • Literatur
  • Minimalismus Literatur
  • Minimalisme
  • Letterkunde
  • Frans
  • France
  • Französisch
Genre/Form
Criticism, interpretation, etc.
Bibliography (note)
  • Includes bibliographical references (p. [171]-207) and index.
Contents
1. Small Worlds -- 2. Edmond Jabes's Story -- 3. Herve Guibert's Cynicism -- 4. Annie Ernaux's Understatement -- 5. Jean-Philippe Toussaint's Ablutions -- 6. Marie Redonnet's Symmetries -- 7. Jean Echenoz's Occupations -- 8. Olivier Targowla's Funambulism -- 9. Patrick Roegiers's Dinner -- 10. Jacques Jouet's Soul -- 11. Emmanuele Bernheim's Affair.
ISBN
  • 0803232020
  • 9780803232020
LCCN
98026165
OCLC
  • ocm39290203
  • 39290203
  • SCSB-9064003
Owning Institutions
Princeton University Library