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Raymond QUENEAU


Mint2

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Only indirect. He write the lyrics (with Music by one of les Six, Georges Auric)

for the songs in a film version of Zola's  L'Assomoir   (https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/l-assomoir-4)

Here it is sung by Juliet Graco...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rYfZxKK0WnE&html5=1

And the full (depressing as fits the novel) text is here:

http://www.chansons-net.com/Chansonsretros/index.php?param1=BO00248.php

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Given her downward spiral into alcoholism it's hardly surprising...

I don't feel that Auric made a good job of setting the text. The music is too light and I don't feel the the 3/4 time (which becomes almost a waltz) is really appropriate.

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Not a particular fan, I have to admit. I read Zazie when I was a student (a long long time ago now!) and seem to remember quite enjoying it, but I never followed it it up. However, that was probably more because Queneau wasn't on the syllabus and I didn't have time to read much outside the set book list, than because I decided I didn't like Queneau. I think possibly I would enjoy him now and I've just put him on my get-on-kindle list - will report back!
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ET, I have recently read some of the pieces from his Exercises de style and I could never have imagined that you could write about a simple anecdote in 99 different ways!

Very good for French language students, I think[:)]

Edit: had to return and change a grammar mistake ...........alas, more and more common these days

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(Puts on sour face)

I rather feel that some French writers, film-makers and composers  go for these 'Exercises de style'  which I find sterile, akin to crossword puzzling, and work becomes superficially 'clever' but ultimately un-moving.

I am thinking of Godard in Le Mépris as an example

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