Comments on: Raymond Queneau: The Flight Of Icarus http://booklit.com/blog/2009/06/16/raymond-queneau-the-flight-of-icarus/ a literary handout Thu, 17 May 2012 11:15:30 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.2.2 By: Stewart http://booklit.com/blog/2009/06/16/raymond-queneau-the-flight-of-icarus/#comment-30645 Stewart Wed, 15 Jul 2009 08:58:49 +0000 http://booklit.com/blog/2009/06/16/raymond-queneau-the-flight-of-icarus/#comment-30645 I'll get round to more Queneau some day. Would love to read <em>Zazie In The Metro</em> next. As for losing something in translation, that may be so, but I always get the feeling that I'm also gaining <em>from</em> from the translation. I think getting the idea across is always more important than the little fiddly bits, such as puns and cultural references. I’ll get round to more Queneau some day. Would love to read Zazie In The Metro next. As for losing something in translation, that may be so, but I always get the feeling that I’m also gaining from from the translation. I think getting the idea across is always more important than the little fiddly bits, such as puns and cultural references.

]]> By: Randy http://booklit.com/blog/2009/06/16/raymond-queneau-the-flight-of-icarus/#comment-30640 Randy Sun, 12 Jul 2009 03:16:22 +0000 http://booklit.com/blog/2009/06/16/raymond-queneau-the-flight-of-icarus/#comment-30640 This sounds more interesting then the his Blue Flowers which I read recently (my first Queneau). I simply was not inclined to dig past its absurd plotlines and characters. Which is not normal for me. I LOVE the absurd (have read about every Ionesco play in translation). Blue Flowers WAS funny. I just kept getting the feeling that I was missing so much in translation. This sounds more interesting then the his Blue Flowers which I read recently (my first Queneau). I simply was not inclined to dig past its absurd plotlines and characters. Which is not normal for me. I LOVE the absurd (have read about every Ionesco play in translation). Blue Flowers WAS funny. I just kept getting the feeling that I was missing so much in translation.

]]> By: Tom C http://booklit.com/blog/2009/06/16/raymond-queneau-the-flight-of-icarus/#comment-30568 Tom C Thu, 18 Jun 2009 07:53:02 +0000 http://booklit.com/blog/2009/06/16/raymond-queneau-the-flight-of-icarus/#comment-30568 Completely new to me - but one I think I will have to search out - thanks for an excellent review Completely new to me - but one I think I will have to search out - thanks for an excellent review

]]> By: steffee http://booklit.com/blog/2009/06/16/raymond-queneau-the-flight-of-icarus/#comment-30560 steffee Tue, 16 Jun 2009 15:13:21 +0000 http://booklit.com/blog/2009/06/16/raymond-queneau-the-flight-of-icarus/#comment-30560 I think reading 'Six Characters In Search Of An Author' after reading anything else along a similar vein would lessen its impact, particularly given that nowadays, we're used to messed-up plots, the use of wordplay and a variety of literary styles; whereas at the time of writing, it was seen as extraordinarily unique and imaginative (alongside more negative reactions from the critiques) of the playwright to incorporate such literary creations. So I'd imagine the same could be said of 'The Flight Of Icarus' as well. The great thing about plays like these is that they are better appreciated being read, rather than seen. Lorca's 'The Shoemakers Prodigious Wife' and 'The Love Of Don Perlimlin and Belisa in the Garden' are along a similar kind of style. If you ever return to your intention of reading a play per month, Stewart, you should try Pirandello's 'Henry IV'. I think reading ‘Six Characters In Search Of An Author’ after reading anything else along a similar vein would lessen its impact, particularly given that nowadays, we’re used to messed-up plots, the use of wordplay and a variety of literary styles; whereas at the time of writing, it was seen as extraordinarily unique and imaginative (alongside more negative reactions from the critiques) of the playwright to incorporate such literary creations. So I’d imagine the same could be said of ‘The Flight Of Icarus’ as well.

The great thing about plays like these is that they are better appreciated being read, rather than seen. Lorca’s ‘The Shoemakers Prodigious Wife’ and ‘The Love Of Don Perlimlin and Belisa in the Garden’ are along a similar kind of style.

If you ever return to your intention of reading a play per month, Stewart, you should try Pirandello’s ‘Henry IV’.

]]> By: Stewart http://booklit.com/blog/2009/06/16/raymond-queneau-the-flight-of-icarus/#comment-30558 Stewart Tue, 16 Jun 2009 11:21:51 +0000 http://booklit.com/blog/2009/06/16/raymond-queneau-the-flight-of-icarus/#comment-30558 I don't think the setting - Paris, 1890s - is all that bizarre, and I think you may have meant premise. In that, yes, it is. Regarding the setting, however, it's not as if Queneau gives a damn about getting facts right. He no doubt had to set the novel some time and with a mention of Pirandello and a character describing herself as a cruciverbalist - "No, you wouldn't understand" - it's obvious he won't let accuracy get in the way of his story. I don’t think the setting - Paris, 1890s - is all that bizarre, and I think you may have meant premise. In that, yes, it is. Regarding the setting, however, it’s not as if Queneau gives a damn about getting facts right. He no doubt had to set the novel some time and with a mention of Pirandello and a character describing herself as a cruciverbalist - “No, you wouldn’t understand” - it’s obvious he won’t let accuracy get in the way of his story.

]]> By: Biblibio http://booklit.com/blog/2009/06/16/raymond-queneau-the-flight-of-icarus/#comment-30557 Biblibio Tue, 16 Jun 2009 10:39:58 +0000 http://booklit.com/blog/2009/06/16/raymond-queneau-the-flight-of-icarus/#comment-30557 "Exercises in Style" sounds a bit like a book of etudes... Meanwhile, the word "script" has me interested. Plus, what a strangely bizarre setting. “Exercises in Style” sounds a bit like a book of etudes… Meanwhile, the word “script” has me interested. Plus, what a strangely bizarre setting.

]]> By: Stewart http://booklit.com/blog/2009/06/16/raymond-queneau-the-flight-of-icarus/#comment-30556 Stewart Tue, 16 Jun 2009 09:49:46 +0000 http://booklit.com/blog/2009/06/16/raymond-queneau-the-flight-of-icarus/#comment-30556 I have <em>Six Characters In Search Of An Author</em>, bought in a unfulfilled intention to read a play per month. I think I came to it, bizarrely, throught the old <em>Twilight Zone</em> episode, <em>Five Characters In Search Of An Exit</em>. In the end the only play I managed to read was <em>R.U.R.</em> by Karel Capek. I have Six Characters In Search Of An Author, bought in a unfulfilled intention to read a play per month. I think I came to it, bizarrely, throught the old Twilight Zone episode, Five Characters In Search Of An Exit. In the end the only play I managed to read was R.U.R. by Karel Capek.

]]> By: steffee http://booklit.com/blog/2009/06/16/raymond-queneau-the-flight-of-icarus/#comment-30553 steffee Mon, 15 Jun 2009 23:21:54 +0000 http://booklit.com/blog/2009/06/16/raymond-queneau-the-flight-of-icarus/#comment-30553 Wonderful review. I studied Pirandello's Six Characters in Search of an Author this year at university, so have some (small amount of) understanding on metatheatre. Your excerpts are exactly like the Pirandello, but this sounds like it has more of a 'story', from your review. Definitely a must-read; it sounds great. Wonderful review. I studied Pirandello’s Six Characters in Search of an Author this year at university, so have some (small amount of) understanding on metatheatre. Your excerpts are exactly like the Pirandello, but this sounds like it has more of a ’story’, from your review. Definitely a must-read; it sounds great.

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