Today, by radio, and also on giant hoardings, a rabbi, an admiral notorious for his links to masonry, a trio of cardinals, a trio too, of insignificant politicians (brought and paid for by a rich and corrupt Anglo-Canadian banking corporation), informs us all of how our country now risk dying of starvation. A rumour, that's my initial thought as I switch off my radio, a rumour or possibly a hoax. Propaganda, I murmur anxiously - as though, just by saying so, I might allay my doubts - typical politicians' propaganda. But public opinion gradually absorbs it as a fact. Individuals start strutting around with stout clubs. 'Food, glorious food!' is a common cry (occasionally sung to Bart's music), with ordinary hard-working folk harassing officials, both local and national, and cursing capitalists and captains of industry. Cops shrink from going out on night shift. In Macon a mob storms a municipal building. In Rocadamour ruffians rob a hangar full of foodstuffs, pillaging tons of tuna fish, milk and cocoa, as also a vast quantity of corn - all of it, alas, totally unfit for human consumption. Without fuss or ado, and naturally without any sort of trial, an indignant crowd hangs 26 solicitors on a hastily built scaffold in front of Nancy's law courts (this Nancy is a town, not a woman) and ransacks a local journal, a disgusting right-wing rag that is siding against it. Up and down this land of ours looting has brought docks, shops and farms to a virtual standstill.
Originally posted by XanthosNZThe significance is the total absence of the letter "E". Quite remarkable, in fact.
Today, by radio, and also on giant hoardings, a rabbi, an admiral notorious for his links to masonry, a trio of cardinals, a trio too, of insignificant politicians (brought and paid for by a rich and corrupt Anglo-Canadian banking corporation), informs us all of how our country now risk dying of starvation. A rumour, that's my initial thought as I switch o ...[text shortened]... down this land of ours looting has brought docks, shops and farms to a virtual standstill.
Originally posted by GatecrasherTaken from the English translation of the French La Disparition which is 200 pages long.
The significance is the total absence of the letter "E". Quite remarkable, in fact.
Neither the original French or the English translation contains an e.
EDIT: Original text by Georges Perec , translation by Gilbert Adair.
Originally posted by JusuhBoredom is a state of mind. You can only blame yourself for it.
how boring. E is a boring letter anyway. Im bored.
I was initially outraged that 26 solicitors had been cruely hanged. But the more I thought about it, the more I liked the idea. Now I'm outraged that it was only 26.
You see... your mind can make the most of any situation.
Originally posted by XanthosNZWhen you're done with that, thrill yourself with Perec's Les Revenentes, in which the only vowel is e. What larks!
Taken from the English translation of the French La Disparition which is 200 pages long.
--If that sort of thing really is your cup of tea, try Raymond Queneau's Exercises in Style, a pointless story told in 99 different ways(http://www.growndodo.com/wordplay/oulipo/queneau.html).
Originally posted by XanthosNZPresumably the English version of the book does include the letter 'e' at least 5 times!
Taken from the English translation of the French La Disparition which is 200 pages long.
Neither the original French or the English translation contains an e.
EDIT: Original text by Georges Perec , translation by Gilbert Adair.
Georges Perec. Gilbert Adair.