"For the publication in English of his Caprice de la reine, Jean Echenoz has made a few minor changes in the texts. These seven recits are his favorite occasional pieces, written on subjects that inspired the author to observe, improvise, invent-for although these stories sometimes spring from historical incident, they are in the end what Echenoz wished to create: "little literary objects." This tension between story and history depends in part on the ability of the reader to catch allusions and follow undercurrents of meaning that are reasonably clear to French readers but may pass completely unnoticed in English. I have therefore provided endnotes for some of these references and for a few other points of interest as well" -- Translator's note. Includes bibliographical references.
Contents:
Nelson -- The queen's caprice -- In Babylon -- Twenty women in the Jardin du Luxembourg, clockwise -- Civil engineering -- Nitrox -- Three sandwiches at Le Bourget.
Summary:
The author takes us on a journey across radically different places and landscapes, giving free rein to a terrific sense of humor tinged with existential mishcief.
This resource is supported by the Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act as administered by State Library of Iowa.