Exercises in Style

Second printing. NDP513 first published in 1981. Translated with an introduction by Barbara Wright. Drawings of people contorted into Initials (by Stefan Themerson) are featured on the Cover design by Denise Breslin & head each exercise in the text. Bright, clean & tight copy, unread in FINE condition. "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 another button on his overcoat. EXERCISES IN STYLE retells this unexceptional tale ninety-nine 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 DE STYLE first appeared in French, it led to Queneau's election to the highly prestigious Academie des Goncourt. Long out of print, it is now being reissued for the first time in paperbook form. 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. 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 humor. It has not only linguistic knowledge and ingenuity, it also has that.'" [publisher copy] "A truly original work, even by international standards. In its witty, glancing way, it makes a greater contribution to the philosophy of language than many a portentous, academic tome."--The New York Times Book Review. Pristine paperbook w/brilliant corners & crisp edges, a square & tight binding w/no creases in spine & very slight shelfwear. Quite presentable.…