lemonde.fr
Bordas's "Les Parrhésiens": A Baroque Exploration of Parisian Eccentricity
Philippe Bordas's "Les Parrhésiens" follows a narrator who discovers a unique gym in Paris's 14th arrondissement, populated by eccentric characters reminiscent of a lost Paris, showcasing a baroque writing style influenced by Rabelais and Céline.
- How does the setting of the novel, a unique Parisian gym, contribute to its overall themes and narrative?
- The novel's plot centers on the narrator's observations of this gym's inhabitants, described as 'archéo-parigots,' resembling characters from a lost Paris. Bordas uses the setting to explore themes of memory, aging, and the city's transformation, mirroring his own literary style, which draws on past masters.
- What makes Philippe Bordas's "Les Parrhésiens" stylistically unique, and what are the immediate implications of this choice?
- Philippe Bordas's new novel, "Les Parrhésiens," is a muscular, baroque work reminiscent of Rabelais and Céline. The novel follows a narrator who discovers a unique gym in Paris's 14th arrondissement, populated by eccentric characters. Its style is ambitious, prioritizing complex sentence structures and vivid descriptions.
- What are the long-term implications of Bordas' stylistic rebellion against minimalist writing, and how might his approach influence future literary trends?
- Bordas's stylistic choices reflect a conscious rejection of contemporary minimalist writing, a rebellion against what he views as simplistic forms. The book's unique structure, composed of short, energetic sequences, creates a dynamic and immersive reading experience, enhancing the novel's themes. The book's success hinges on the reader's willingness to engage with its challenging language.
Cognitive Concepts
Framing Bias
The review heavily emphasizes the author's writing style, comparing it to various literary figures and describing it with strong, positive terms such as "generously bodybuildéd" and "formidable." This framing might unduly influence the reader's perception of the novel, prioritizing style over substance. The focus on the setting and eccentric characters also shapes the reader's expectations.
Language Bias
The review uses vivid and evaluative language, such as "generously bodybuildéd," "muscular," "formidable," and "extraordinary." While this creates a lively and engaging tone, it might subtly influence the reader's opinion. More neutral alternatives could be "extensive," "powerful," "impressive," and "unusual.
Bias by Omission
The review focuses heavily on the author's writing style and the book's setting, potentially overlooking plot details or character development that might be crucial to a full understanding of the novel. The intrigue is described vaguely as "a fable of its form." There is no mention of the novel's themes or central conflict. This omission could limit the reader's ability to assess the book's overall merit.
False Dichotomy
The review sets up a false dichotomy between "clear lines and other white writings" and the muscular prose of Bordas's book. This oversimplification ignores the possibility of other writing styles that might not fit into either category. It also doesn't consider the potential value of clear and concise writing.