Another French Nobel winner

[french frank]

There seemed to be genuine outrage in the English-speaking world when JMG Le Clézio won the literary prize, mainly on the grounds that people had never heard of him.

Will Patrick Modiano fare any better?

I've only read one of his novels: the spur to look out Dans le café de la jeunesse perdue.

[vinteuil]

.

http://www.lefigaro.fr/livres/2014/10/09/03005-20141009ARTFIG00266-les-cinq-livres-de-modiano-qu-il-faut-avoir-lus.php

[amateur51]

There seemed to be genuine outrage in the English-speaking world when JMG Le Clézio won the literary prize, mainly on the grounds that people had never heard of him.

Will Patrick Modiano fare any better?

I've only read one of his novels: the spur to look out Dans le café de la jeunesse perdue.

Available second hand for 0.01p plus P&P at the usual place

[french frank]

Available second hand for 0.01p plus P&P at the usual place

Don't forget that 15% of that 1p and 15% of the P&P go to Orinoco ... still, better than the whole lot, and it does genuinely help marketeers.

[gradus]

Why great outrage, is it thought that Les Francais have been 'at it'?

[french frank]

Why great outrage, is it thought that Les Francais have been 'at it'?

Dunno. Unfortunately, the Guardian's link no longer works ... Oops, yes it does, I think .

And http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/7677013.stm

[Alain Maréchal]

"His name is largely unknown in Britain and the United States, but the recipient of the most feted prize in literature has much he could teach us about life today, says Lisa Jardine."

"But" - that "but", says so much about the attitude of the anglophone world - they must wonder how the Nobel committee could even consider awarding the prize to someone who writes in a foreign language that most Americans don't understand. "Really, the nerve of some people!"

You may now turn off the irony filter.

[french frank]

"But" - that "but", says so much about the attitude of the anglophone world - they must wonder how the Nobel committee could even consider awarding the prize to someone who writes in a foreign language that most Americans don't understand.

Yes, the outrage seemed to be, not that he didn't necessarily deserve it for his work, but that someone whose work didn't merit being translated into 24 different languages - including English - should have been honoured.

Still, by now they should have had time to learn French, so Modiano may fare better!

[Alain Maréchal]

I've calmed down a little this morning. Its worth bearing in mind that the award is not just for literary merit- its for expressing idealism aross a body of work, and is awarded by the Royal Academy, not only a literary panel. Anyway I can't see why the Americans complain - it has gone to Americans plenty of times.

[Nick Armstrong]

...someone whose work didn't merit being translated into 24 different languages - including English

The only book I've ever tried to translate was Modiano's "De si braves garçons"... Some of my French crew are really into him, and got me 'in' too. I found it incredibly difficult to translate, and gave up His style is a bit like snow, it melts away as soon as you try and handle it - all the subtle French irony is difficult to carry across. Even the title (which is something like "Such fine lads", with an ever so-slight touch of sarcasm, is quite elusive). But good stuff, I think.

[vinteuil]

.

after le Figaro, here is what le Monde has to say:

http://www.lemonde.fr/livres/article/2014/10/10/s-il-ne-fallait-lire-que-cinq-livres-de-patrick-modiano_4504509_3260.html

[french frank]

.

after le Figaro, here is what le Monde has to say:

http://www.lemonde.fr/livres/article...4509_3260.html

'... l’auteur [ ... ] assure qu’il écrit toujours le même livre, à quelques variations près'. Oh, well, I've probably read them all already :-)