what are you reading now?

[woops]

I've been struggling to read the last novel by Alain robbe-Grillet, thought I had a fairly strong stomach but page after page after page of extremely graphic, horrifically nasty, sexual torture of extremely young girls quite quickly grew both disgusting and boring.

what's it called?

 

[IdleRich]

A Sentimental Novel

 

[IdleRich]

Sounds like a joke... but not

In France, Alain Robbe-Grillet's final novel was sold in shrink-wrap, labeled with a sticker warning readers that this perverse fairy tale might offend certain sensibilities. It tells the story of Gigi, also known as Djinn, who is being schooled by her father to be a perfect slave and mistress. Running the gamut of unacceptable subject matter from incest to torture, this book abounds with vignettes that explore taboos and their representation in fiction, from the Brothers Grimm to the Marquis de Sade. It is titillating and disgusting, the work of a dirty old man or brilliant agent provocateur -- or both

 

[IdleRich]

It's very much like 100 Days of Sodom

 

[woops]

fuck me if it came with a warning IN FRANCE it must be really beyond the pale.

 

[william_kent]

I've only read Last Year At Marienbad, and although it was dull it certainly wasn't a shrink wrap job

 

[woops]

Sorry all multiple fuck ups posting this...

I've only read Last Year At Marienbad, and although it was dull it certainly wasn't a shrink wrap job

Was it illustrated?

 

[woops]

I'm asking 'cos the only French edition is a "ciné-roman" in other words the text is a novelisation of the film with stills accompanying which is a tasty edition indeed.

 

[william_kent]

Sorry all multiple fuck ups posting this...

Was it illustrated?

Yes, lots of photographs of topiary in the grounds of some mansion, although it was the translation in the John Calder edition

 

[woops]

NICE edition. sad to hear you didn't like it

 

[william_kent]

I was probably too young when I read it, I might have a completely different opinion now

 

[woops]

maybe better/easier to watch the film and see what you think

 

[IdleRich]

I've only read Last Year At Marienbad, and although it was dull it certainly wasn't a shrink wrap job

I never knew there was a novel, just thought he did the screenplay... I think with Sentimental Novel he was soon to die and thought fuck it who cares if the world knows I fantasize about seven year olds having their bum holes whipped while their legs are being pulled off with winches.

 

[IdleRich]

Yes, lots of photographs of topiary in the grounds of some mansion, although it was the translation in the John Calder edition

View attachment 9308

The famous pics where the people have shadows but the bushes don't, you feel something is wrong but can't tell what.

 

[woops]

The famous pics where the people have shadows but the bushes don't, you feel something is wrong but can't tell what.

except you can now. but yeah, worthy of magritte that pic

 

[IdleRich]

maybe better/easier to watch the film and see what you think

I think I prefer the films he directed as well as wrote which are totally his own vision I assume.

 

[woops]

I think I prefer the films he directed as well as wrote which are totally his own vision I assume.

yes i like them too and i remember when you were using a still from one of them as your avatar @IdleRich but it doesn't mean L'Année Dernière isn't wicked

 

[woops]

he was appearing many years ago at the french institute and i didn't go and then he died, regret that

 

[woops]

the french institute ciné lumière is where i first saw trans europe express

 

[IdleRich]

yes i like them too and i remember when you were using a still from one of them as your avatar @IdleRich but it doesn't mean L'Année Dernière isn't wicked

Yeah yeah it's great, and no doubt shot far skilfully the ARG could ever manage