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> To:
rara-avis-l@yahoogroups.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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