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Jacques Réda
Being There, Almost
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In Jacques Réda: Being There, Almost, Aaron Prevots studies the work of this major contemporary French writer since the 1950sâpoetry, novels, literary essays, short prose, jazz histories. He particularly examines Rédaâs explorations of place, including how the âworldâs energyâ becomes the ideal dancing partner, poetry incarnate in oneâs arms.
Réda embodies âbeing there, almostâ because he wanders with great wisdom yet renounces any glory in this metaphorical dance. He aligns us with the outer worldâs rhythms and timeâs passage. Fleeting waves of perception create a voluptuous, unified whole. In considering the arc of Rédaâs works from 1952-2015, Aaron Prevots locates a progression from post-Baudelairean flânerie to commemoration of childhood, classical antiquity, fellow writers, jazz, physics, swing, theology, and trains.
Réda embodies âbeing there, almostâ because he wanders with great wisdom yet renounces any glory in this metaphorical dance. He aligns us with the outer worldâs rhythms and timeâs passage. Fleeting waves of perception create a voluptuous, unified whole. In considering the arc of Rédaâs works from 1952-2015, Aaron Prevots locates a progression from post-Baudelairean flânerie to commemoration of childhood, classical antiquity, fellow writers, jazz, physics, swing, theology, and trains.
Aaron Prevots, Ph.D. (2002), Southwestern University, is Associate Professor of French at the same university. He has published translations and many articles on French poetry, including Jacques Rédaâs Return to Calm (Host, 2007) and Thirteen Songs of Dark Love (VVV, 2008).
"Prevots offre une vision panoramique de la biographie et de lâoeuvre de Réda, témoignant ainsi dâune connaissance étendue sur le sujet. Il fait aussi bien référence à des souvenirs dâenfance de lâauteur pendant la Deuxième Guerre mondiale quâà ses réflexions contemporaines sur la science et le capitalisme. Il examine aussi des textes venant de toutes les époques et de tous les genres. De plus, Prevots démontre une maîtrise approfondie des thèmes, du style et des réflexions de lâécrivain dans les nombreuses lectures rapprochées quâil entreprend." - Aurélie Van de Wiele, French Review, 91.4.
Introduction: The Worldâs Sweep, Breadth, and Spark
1. Early Prose and Poetry: Toward an Expansive Voice
2. Writing Travel: Poetic Circulation
3. Trains and Circulation: Amplified âPhenomenal Flowâ
4. Youth Past and Present: Prismatic Childhood Identity
5. The Poet as Music Critic: Swing and Jazz
6. âFloating Bridgesâ: Ancient and Modern Influences
Conclusion: Being There, Almost
Bibliography
Index
1. Early Prose and Poetry: Toward an Expansive Voice
2. Writing Travel: Poetic Circulation
3. Trains and Circulation: Amplified âPhenomenal Flowâ
4. Youth Past and Present: Prismatic Childhood Identity
5. The Poet as Music Critic: Swing and Jazz
6. âFloating Bridgesâ: Ancient and Modern Influences
Conclusion: Being There, Almost
Bibliography
Index
All interested in contemporary French poetry, and anyone studying topics such as autobiography, childhood, classical antiquity, elegy, jazz, life writing, Paris, physics, Presocratics, swing, theology, trains, travel, troubadours, and trouvères.