
No, this isnāt the Kama Sutra: But it can be, if you enjoy the art of making love with words and trying out different positions with them.
A more conservative comparison: If classical music has Beethovenās Diabelli Variations, literature has Queneauās Exercises in Style.
The truth: I had no idea who Queneau was. Iāve come across NYRBs with his name on them, but I only grabbed this book because Iāve enjoyed the works of both Umberto Eco and Italo Calvino. (It must mean something when two outstanding Italians endorse the work of a Frenchman!) The former wrote the foreword and this edition features an essay by the latter, with a prescient first line directed to me, āWho is Raymond Queneau?ā
Well, now I know Raymond Queneau: The first man who has managed to make me chuckle all the way while reading an entire book! This was just delightful! It is a retelling of the same short story in different styles that simply renders some books on writing and reading irrelevant ā while making the reader laugh.
To those who love to read and write a bit, or write a lot: If this isnāt on your shelf yet, thereās an empty spot where Exercises in Style is supposed be.Ā š
Is that last line directed at me? Isnāt this another book to add to my list? I told you to stop!!!!! š¤£š¤£š¤£
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Haha… it can wait. It’s one of those books that becomes a respite from all the emotionally heavy books that we’re naturally drawn to. š¤£
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I think after ā.. Lemon Trees Growā Iāll need a happy book to be read in a hammock in an overwater bungalow after a private therapy session. Lol. Im about to pick it up and continue reading now⦠part of me is excited and cant wait to read, the other part dreads what happens next. I canāt take anymore of the heartache!
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Definitely placing an order for Lemon Trees this month! I can’t take anymore heartache either but I continue asking for it. Hahahahaha
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On a serious note though⦠Iām halfway through a book that is just blowing me away. Have you read āAs Long as the Lemon Trees Growā by Zoulfa Katouh? By god it is one of the best books I have ever read. From soaring heights of hope to crushing blows. I cried so much last night my husband was concerned. Set in Syria so you can imagineā¦. I think you would love this book! X
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Ohhhh! Thank you for this! Haven’t read or heard of this one yet. I have just added it to my cart! ā¤
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