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Adina (way behind)'s Reviews > L'Anomalie
L'Anomalie
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DNF at page 100
It took me more than a month to fight my way to page 100. The 1st chapter was excellent, with an interesting protagonist and then the author abandoned him to other characters less and less compelling. The writing is nothing extraordinary, for sure not worthy of a literary prize. I try to read it both in original French and in Romanian so I can assure you it is not a matter of translation. The idea was interesting but after it was sifted through Oulipian* restrictions, whatever they were, not much was left.
*Herve le Tellier is the leader of Oulipo movement. As oer Wikipedia: Ouvroir de littérature potentielle; roughly translated: "workshop of potential literature", stylized OuLiPo) is a loose gathering of (mainly) French-speaking writers and mathematicians who seek to create works using constrained writing techniques.
It took me more than a month to fight my way to page 100. The 1st chapter was excellent, with an interesting protagonist and then the author abandoned him to other characters less and less compelling. The writing is nothing extraordinary, for sure not worthy of a literary prize. I try to read it both in original French and in Romanian so I can assure you it is not a matter of translation. The idea was interesting but after it was sifted through Oulipian* restrictions, whatever they were, not much was left.
*Herve le Tellier is the leader of Oulipo movement. As oer Wikipedia: Ouvroir de littérature potentielle; roughly translated: "workshop of potential literature", stylized OuLiPo) is a loose gathering of (mainly) French-speaking writers and mathematicians who seek to create works using constrained writing techniques.
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Trudie
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rated it 2 stars
Feb 18, 2022 01:28AM
A wise move Adina. Hopefully better luck next month !
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Sorry for your run of books not finished this year. And I admire your ability to put a book down when you realize it's not for you.
Driven, I was, to reverse follow your Ariadne's thread (actually, the thread was a neatly followable string of blooming Christmas tree lights) into the labyrinth of OuLiPo to find not...my self or any other monster, but rather an intentionally laughable anti-reason-iotor called 'pataphysics. The book I have (and will now read) titled, 'Pataphysics" A Useless Guide" references many of the writers discussed in the crime fiction studies I completed recently. Scarry! So, a possible image that might illuminate this odd couple is this: Macbeth following his "Tale told by an idiot..." assessment laughs as hysterically as Donnie Darko does in his final moments. Yes, this book sounds like one not to lose one's head in.
Thanks for the heads-up, Adina. I had a feeling it wouldn't be as good "as advertised", so removed from my TBR. But I did learn a little about the Oulipian movement, as a result!😄 Good luck with your next read.😉
Trudie wrote: "A wise move Adina. Hopefully better luck next month !" I hope so. I am not sure I will read the next month's choice due to the Booker International longlist.
Lisa wrote: "Sorry for your run of books not finished this year. And I admire your ability to put a book down when you realize it's not for you." i learned that if I struggle to finish a book I don't like it puts me into a reading slump and then I stop reading altogether.
Jodi wrote: "Thanks for the heads-up, Adina. I had a feeling it wouldn't be as good "as advertised", so removed from my TBR. But I did learn a little about the Oulipian movement, as a result!😄 Good luck with yo..." Thank you. This is my 2nd Oulipian novel. i enjoyed the 1st one very much.
You stopped just before it got good. Trust me. I listened to it while doing other things, and @ 30%, I had no idea what was going on - soo confusing! But a friend recommended it, so I started over and paid attention and right after the point where I'd stopped? It got good.
Adina wrote: "This is my 2nd Oulipian novel. i enjoyed the 1st one very much.." What was your first Oulipian novel, please, Adina?
Elo wrote: "You stopped just before it got good. Trust me. I listened to it while doing other things, and @ 30%, I had no idea what was going on - soo confusing! But a friend recommended it, so I started over ..." I am sorry I stopped then. However, I am no starting again.
Jon wrote: "Adina wrote: "This is my 2nd Oulipian novel. i enjoyed the 1st one very much.." What was your first Oulipian novel, please, Adina?" it was this one: Mr BeethovenVery well done.
The first chapter is so misleading. I also DNF it.
Flo wrote: "The first chapter is so misleading. I also DNF it." The 1st chapter was excelletn. Too bad about the rest.
But it gets so very good. I'm glad I kept with it. Sorry you didn't enjoy
There is a reason why he introduces all the other characters as well and I'm really enjoying this book, nearly finished. But tastes are different and I have abandoned books that other people love on quite a few occasions.
Wiebke Howey wrote: "There is a reason why he introduces all the other characters as well and I'm really enjoying this book, nearly finished. But tastes are different and I have abandoned books that other people love o..." Glad you enjoyed it. As you said, tastes are different which is great.
DNF, also at page 100
I think it’s sad that so many people DNF this one but I understand many viewpoints isn’t for everyone. However I’d anyone is looking for a chaotic ride I definitely recommend it!
Tania wrote: "DNF, also at page 100" Sotty you did not like it.
Kylie wrote: "I think it’s sad that so many people DNF this one but I understand many viewpoints isn’t for everyone. However I’d anyone is looking for a chaotic ride I definitely recommend it!" We all have different taste which is a good thing.
I finished it. But it was a struggle!! The central part of the novel where scientists, theologians and philosophers meet to try and work out what happened showed the expansive mind of the author at the expense of an actual plot. It picked up towards the end then the final chapter was a real bad finish. I wish I hadn’t finished it to be honest. Very disappointing.
Kraig wrote: "I finished it. But it was a struggle!! The central part of the novel where scientists, theologians and philosophers meet to try and work out what happened showed the expansive mind of the author at..." Glad I bailed out early
I read it and didn't understood the hype or the prize...
Fátima wrote: "I read it and didn't understood the hype or the prize..." at least I am not alone in this.
I felt the same way about the 1st chapter. Now it is a slog. I am listening
TT wrote: "I felt the same way about the 1st chapter. Now it is a slog. I am listening" Well, I heard it will get better. Put the speed to 2x and maybe you will get to the good stuff :))
Sadly, there *is* no good stuff to get to...
Wulf wrote: "Sadly, there *is* no good stuff to get to..." sadly…maybe just read something else then TT
Read it in two days! ;)
Liv wrote: "Read it in two days! ;)" Glad it worked for you.
I wish I loved myself enough to have DNFed it. Reading it was torture.
Ola wrote: "I wish I loved myself enough to have DNFed it. Reading it was torture." I never thought DNF-ing as self love b but i think you are on to something here.
Peter wrote: "Very strange this “oulipo” movement!" Very
I felt it was a bit slow at first, but the last half really captured my interest and I found it a very good read.
Holly wrote: "I felt it was a bit slow at first, but the last half really captured my interest and I found it a very good read." i probably should have tried more but, well, not enough time.
