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A review by ditarlatoni
Zazie in the Metro by Raymond Queneau
2.0
Having wanted to read this book for a long time I sadly found it disappointing when finally given a copy.
I adore "Exercises In Style", another book by Raymond Queneau that is similarly playful with language. However whereas that takes a simple idea and extrapolates it beautifully "Zazie In The Metro" seems laboured and self-satisfied in comparison. The neologisms are just annoying, and the wafer-thin plot doesn't help. Also there is far too little of Zazie in the actual narrative, which is a shame as it her impatient, doesn't-stand-on-ceremony or suffer-fools-gladly attitude that are the best bits of it.
I don't know whether it is the translation or the age of this book that turned me off, and indeed I am aware that if I were capable of reading it in the original French it might jump off the page at me. But I can't so I won't so that's about it then.
I adore "Exercises In Style", another book by Raymond Queneau that is similarly playful with language. However whereas that takes a simple idea and extrapolates it beautifully "Zazie In The Metro" seems laboured and self-satisfied in comparison. The neologisms are just annoying, and the wafer-thin plot doesn't help. Also there is far too little of Zazie in the actual narrative, which is a shame as it her impatient, doesn't-stand-on-ceremony or suffer-fools-gladly attitude that are the best bits of it.
I don't know whether it is the translation or the age of this book that turned me off, and indeed I am aware that if I were capable of reading it in the original French it might jump off the page at me. But I can't so I won't so that's about it then.