Alain Robbe-Grillet

Alain Robbe-Grillet was a French writer and filmmaker, born on August 18, 1922, and passed away on February 18, 2008. He is best known as one of the foremost figures of the Nouveau Roman (new novel) movement, which sought to revolutionize narrative techniques and prose styles in literature. His works often eschew traditional plot and character development in favor of exploring consciousness and perception. Some of his notable works include 'The Erasers' (Les Gommes), 'The Voyeur' (Le Voyeur), and 'Jealousy' (La Jalousie). Robbe-Grillet's writing is characterized by a meticulous, objective style that can be both disorienting and intriguing.

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.

  1. 1. Jealousy: A Novel

    This novel is an avant-garde narrative that explores the concept of jealousy through a highly detailed and descriptive narrative. The story unfolds in a tropical banana plantation and is told from the perspective of an unnamed narrator who may or may not be present in the scenes described. The narrative is characterized by repetition and minute observation of details, creating a sense of obsessive jealousy. The story is ambiguous and leaves the reader questioning the reality of the events and the existence of the narrator.

  2. 2. The Erasers

    The book is a complex and innovative narrative that blurs the lines between reality and imagination, following a detective who is investigating a series of connected murders in a nameless town. As the detective delves deeper into the case, the story unfolds in a non-linear fashion, challenging the reader's perception of time and causality. The novel's structure, characterized by repetitive descriptions and a lack of clear resolution, reflects the themes of uncertainty and the elusiveness of truth, ultimately questioning the nature of existence and the reliability of memory and perception.

  3. 3. For a New Novel

    "For a New Novel" is a collection of essays by a prominent French writer and filmmaker, where he challenges the traditional norms of narrative and character development in novels. The author argues for a new form of novel, one that focuses more on the objectivity of description and the presentation of things as they are, rather than on the psychological analysis of characters. He criticizes the conventional novel for its reliance on plot, causality, and character development, and instead proposes a novel that is more concerned with the surface of things, their materiality and their presence in space and time.

  4. 4. The Voyeur

    "The Voyeur" is a psychological thriller that revolves around the protagonist, a watch salesman, who visits an island town to sell watches but becomes the prime suspect in a young girl's murder. The narrative delves into the mind of the salesman, constantly blurring the lines between reality and his fantasies. The book is known for its experimental narrative style, with the author often repeating scenes with minor variations and leaving the reader to question the truth.

  5. 5. In The Labyrinth

    "In the Labyrinth" is a postmodern novel that delves into the fragmented and unreliable nature of memory and perception. The narrative follows a soldier as he wanders through a maze-like city, attempting to deliver a package whose contents and recipient are unknown. The story is characterized by its repetitive and non-linear structure, creating a disorienting and introspective experience for the reader. As the protagonist's journey unfolds, the lines between reality and imagination blur, challenging the reader to question the very nature of storytelling and the construction of meaning within a text.

  6. 6. Project For A Revolution In New York

    The book in question is a complex and fragmented narrative that delves into the chaotic and surreal environment of a post-revolutionary New York City. Through a series of disjointed scenes and characters, the novel explores themes of violence, sexuality, and political upheaval. The narrative structure defies conventional storytelling, with an elusive plot that challenges the reader's perception of reality. The work is emblematic of the author's involvement with the Nouveau Roman movement, which sought to revolutionize literary form and content by breaking away from traditional narrative techniques.