Michel Butor
Michel Butor was a prominent French writer, born on September 14, 1926, in Mons-en-Barœul and passed away on August 24, 2016. He was a leading figure in the Nouveau Roman (New Novel) movement, which sought to revolutionize narrative techniques and structures in the 1950s and 1960s. Butor's best-known work is 'La Modification', for which he received the prestigious Prix Renaudot in 1957. His literary output was diverse, including novels, essays, poetry, and works on art and literature, and his experimental approach to writing has had a lasting influence on the literary world.
Books
This list of books are ONLY the books that have been ranked on the lists that are aggregated on this site. This is not a comprehensive list of all books by this author.
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1. Second Thoughts
"Second Thoughts" is a complex, stream-of-consciousness novel that unfolds during a train journey from Paris to Rome. The protagonist, a businessman, is traveling to meet his mistress, but as the journey progresses, he becomes increasingly introspective and starts to question his decisions. The narrative is nonlinear and fragmented, mirroring the protagonist's mental state, and the novel explores themes of time, memory, identity, and the nature of reality.
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2. A Change Of Heart
This novel delves into the psychological and emotional journey of a Frenchman who takes up a teaching position in Manchester, England. Struggling with the bleakness of the post-war English landscape and the cultural dissonance he experiences, the protagonist embarks on a profound internal journey. Through his interactions with the city, its architecture, and its inhabitants, he undergoes a transformation that challenges his preconceptions and alters his perception of life. The narrative, rich in introspection and vivid descriptions, explores themes of alienation, the search for identity, and the possibility of personal renewal amidst the ruins of the past.
