Poetry, etcetera: Cleaning House

by Jacques Roubaud, Guy Bennett (Translation)

What is poetry today, and how does it fit into our daily lives? Through a series of intelligent and personal, often humorous essays the great French poet and fiction writer explores the role of poetry and poetry means to us.

Genres: Poetry

288 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1995

About the author

Jacques Roubaud was a French poet, writer and mathematician.

Reviews

[Wendy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is full of wonderful things, particularly about the genesis of the Oulipo, and also about the ever recurring "death of poetry." It is a shame that Roubaud's disdain for women is so obvious and so artlessly on view. Not only are we completely absent from his literary references, except for the solitary reference to Agatha Christie (whom he will only call Agatha), but in his one example of a contemptible critical argument, he chooses to pit Helen Vendler against Rita Dove. In his obtuseness Roubaud unfortunately confirms the rumors of the Oulipo's animus for women. It doesn't help that his fiction is populated by adolescent sexpots who are always flaunting their boobies. I don't often have a reaction to a book that so completely mingles admiration and disgust, but this was one.

[Marcus · Rating 5 out of 5]

how do i begin? This is the best theory for me. Playful. Opening. Full of possibilities. If I taught literature or creative writing it would be on the list for the so-called comprehensive exams and so on.

But it is also beyond that. Outside of the professional academies.

Poetry and memory. The death of poetry. Of PROFECO TODINTRAN and IGLOVI (profit economy, totally digital for instant transmission, idea of the global village). It is all in there. And fun! Really fun! Also "big talk, sweet talk, verse." and more. Much more. Poetry versus poems (i think poetry is more interesting than poems).

"Poetry is the love of language" but what does that mean exactly?


Roubaud also discusses postures:

Homeric posture
Orphic Posture
Shamanistic posture
posture of the spontaneous poet
the Malherbian Posture


lots on the avant garde gesture!

AND LOTS AND LOTS AND LOTS MORE!


one my fav books about life and art and poetics and so on . . .

[Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gömmer sig bakom skrivbordet, men ingen dum gubbe...

[Barry · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wise guy, a trouble-maker! I like this guy.