That other novel would be In the Labyrinth, which I read many
years ago with great admiration. A poetic, brilliant,
haunting book about "a soldier attempting to deliver a
mysterious package in a vast, unnamed city" (in the words of
an Amazon reviewer). What I recall particularly is the
arresting use of literary abstraction to genuine emotional
effect.
Mark Harris
On 10/21/07, Robert Elkin <
rictusaporia@yahoo.com> wrote:
>
> Mike--
> Does your copy also include a second novel, having
to do with a labyrinth?
>
> Also, RG's got a book on what he refers to as "The
New Novel," which is
> kind of interesting, & if I remember right,
might discuss his tactics in
> JEALOUSY [unless I'm thinking of the Barthes
essay?]).
> Rob
>
> ----- Original Message ----
> From: Michael Robison <
miker_zspider@yahoo.com
<miker_zspider%40yahoo.com>
> >
> To:
rara-avis-l@yahoogroups.com
<rara-avis-l%40yahoogroups.com>
> Sent: Sunday, October 21, 2007 3:31:36 PM
> Subject: RARA-AVIS: Jealousy
>
> Just finished this novel by Robbe-Grillet. It's
a
>
> short book and not much happens, repeating a
few
>
> scenes over and over again with small
variations.
>
> It's difficult to interpret the continuous
repeating
>
> of scenes as much more than artistic
self-indulgence,
>
> but the scenes do carry a solid literary effect.
It's
>
> definitely well into the dissolution of self that
is
>
> so popular in postmodernism, and it's the
most
>
> successful effort in that direction that I've
read.
>
> It was written well before the postmodern
movement
>
> began. That probably has something to do with
it.
>
> The plot is related by a man on a banana
plantation.
>
> He never speaks outright and never refers to
himself
>
> in the first person. A woman who appears to be
his
>
> wife appears to be having an affair with a
neighbor.
>
> The narrative is objective, with little or
no
>
> introspection offered on the narrator's part.
Nuances
>
> of chosen details are needed to decipher his
thoughts
>
> and feelings. Mood and scene and symbol interweave
to
>
> produce a decent work.
>
> Recommended if you don't mind a little
artsy-fartsy.
>
> There was an essay on the work by Roland
Barthes
>
> included in the book. It was so off-target and
bogus
>
> as to be just about worthless.
>
> miker
>
>
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-- Mark R. Harris 2122 W. Russet Court #8 Appleton WI 54914 (920) 470-9855 brokerharris@gmail.com
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