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Annie Ernaux: An Introduction to the Writer and her Audience

(Hardback)


Publishing Details

Full Title:

Annie Ernaux: An Introduction to the Writer and her Audience

Contributors:

By (Author) Lyn Thomas

ISBN:

9781859732076

Publisher:

Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

Imprint:

Berg Publishers

Publication Date:

1st September 2010

Country:

United Kingdom

Classifications

Readership:

General

Fiction/Non-fiction:

Non Fiction

Other Subjects:

Literary studies: fiction, novelists and prose writers

Dewey:

843.914

Physical Properties

Physical Format:

Hardback

Number of Pages:

192

Dimensions:

Width 138mm, Height 216mm, Spine 15mm

Description

The award-winning novels of Annie Ernaux are controversial, innovative, and address the topical issues of gender and social class. Surprisingly, there has been no major study of her work, despite the fact that it is increasingly taught and has been widely translated. This book fills that gap by presenting Ernaux's work through a range of readings: those of the author herself, those of academics, of reviewers and of 'ordinary' readers. Ernaux's own curiosity about the relationship between writing and the reality she is describing leads her to adopt a self-reflective approach to the narration of her life experience. This stimulating introduction to her work reflects both on the relationship between writing and identity in general terms, and specifically on the process of writing literary criticism. In the final chapter the impersonal register of academic writing is extended by a more personal dialogue with Ernaux's texts. What emerges is a new critical method that explores the multiple relationships between readers and texts. The first work in English on Annie Ernaux, this book goes far beyond traditional analyses to address the fundamental question of critical writing and to present a new methodology for the study of literary texts. It is thus essential reading for those interested in French literature, critical theory, gender and cultural studies.

Reviews

'It's difficult to put into words how impressed I was by the depth and accuracy of this book. It provides an in-depth analysis of the importance of the gaze, the mother / daughter relationship, my desire to return to the 'text-world' of my childhood. I have to hurry to forget what [Lyn Thomas] has written, in order to be able to write "innocently".' Annie Ernaux 'This lucid and wide-ranging study is above all a powerful engagement with Annie Ernaux's project as a writer. In a brilliant analysis, Lyn Thomas links the ambivalent reception of this best-selling author to the persistent themes and challenges of her work.' Professor Diana Knight, University of Nottingham 'Thomas provides a lively treatment that is sympathetic yet objective ... A solid introduction for upper division graduates and above.' Choice 'This is an excellent book that should be purchased by all university libraries. It is written with clarity and simplicity, and addresses central questions with considerable insight.' New Zealand Journal of French Studies 'This critical study should be in every library.' Dalhousie French Studies '...with this illuminating survey of Ernaux's corpus and its popular and critical reception, Thomas maps out the contours of future Ernaux criticism.' French Studies 'A penetrating study, soberly written in a flowing style free of unnecessary critical jargon, which guides the reader through Ernaux's texts and contexts...this academic study seasoned with personal innovation skillfully fulfills its purpose.' French Review

Author Bio

Lyn Thomas London Metropolitan University

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