Four Novels: The Square / Moderato Cantabile / 10:30 on a Summer Night / The Afternoon of Mr. Andesmas

by Marguerite Duras

Other authorsRichard Seaver (Translator), Germaine Bree (Introduction)
Paperback, 1994

Status

Available

Publication

Grove Press (1994), Edition: Reprint, 254 pages

Description

In this volume of four short novels, Duras demonstrates her remarkable ability to create an emotional intensity and unity by focusing on the intimate details of the relationships among only a few cental characters: from the park bench couple in "The Square" (1955) to the double love triangle in "10:30 on a Summer Night" (1960), each novel probes the depths and complexities of human emotion, of love and of despair. Exceptional for their range in mood and situation, these four novels are unparalleled exhibitions of a poetic beauty that is uniquely Duras.

User reviews

LibraryThing member mattresslessness
The two novels sandwiched in the middle of this collection are gems of lyrical, poetic literature.

Readers beware, though: the first novel in the series, The Square, is a shocker. Completely dead in the water, I don't think I've read a less compelling dialogue... only really seems to function under
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scrutiny based on the pet theories of the nouveau roman. Why they put it before Moderato Cantabile or 10:30 on a Summer Night is beyond me; all it accomplishes is whittling down the numbers who read and enjoy the last three excellent novellas.

Three Novels might have been a wiser move, but it'll keep the completists happy.
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Language

Original language

English

Physical description

254 p.; 5.5 x 0.75 inches

ISBN

0802151116 / 9780802151117

Local notes

Fiction
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