From surrealism to less-exquisite cadavers : Leo Malet and the evolution of the French Roman Noir / Michelle Emanuel, with a foreword by Peter Schulman.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Emanuel, Michelle.

Series:

Faux Titre ; 288.

Faux Titre ; 288

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Detective and mystery stories, French.

Literature, Experimental--France--Paris.

Literature, Experimental.

Malet, Léo, 1909-1996.

Malet, Léo.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (197 p.)

Edition:

1st ed.

Place of Publication:

Amsterdam ; New York : Rodopi, 2006.

Language Note:

English

Summary:

Les nouveaux mystères de Paris (1954-1959), Léo Malet's fifteen-novel detective series inspired by Eugène Sue's nineteenth-century feuilleton , almost achieved the goal of setting a mystery in each of the twenty Parisian arrondissements, with Nestor Burma at the center of the action. In Burma, the "détective de choc" first introduced in 1943's 120 rue de la gare , Malet, considered the "father" of the French roman noir , creates a cultural hybrid, bringing literary references and surrealist techniques to a criminal milieu. Michelle Emanuel's groundbreaking study is particularly insightful in its treatment of Malet as a pioneer within the literary genre of the French roman noir while making sure to also focus on his surrealist roots. Against the archetypes of Simenon's Maigret and Christie's Poirot, Burma is brash and streetwise, peppering his speech with colorful and evocative slang. As the reader's tour guide, Burma highlights Paris's forgotten past while providing insight to the Paris of (his) present, referencing both popular culture and contemporary issues. Malet's innovation of setting a noir narrative in France serves as a catalyst for further change in the policier genre in France, including his contemporary Jean Amila, the néo-polar of Jean-Patrick Manchette, and the historical roman noir of Didier Daeninckx.

Contents:

Acknowledgements

Foreword: Léo Malet's Post-War Paris by Peter Schulman

Introduction

Chapter One: Expanding Boundaries

Chapter Two: Surrealist Traces

Chapter Three: Nestor Burma, comme tu voudras

Chapter Four: Supporting Players

Chapter Five: Paris est Paris, voyez-vous

Chapter Six: The Apparent Heirs

Conclusion

Appendix A: map of Parisian arrondissements with corresponding mysteries from Malet's series

Appendix B: frequently used slang from Malet's series

Bibliography.

Notes:

Description based on print version record.

Revision of the author's thesis (doctoral)--University of Alabama, 2000.

Includes bibliographical references.

ISBN:

94-012-0344-X

1-4294-8111-0

OCLC:

166244568

Publisher Number:

10.1163/9789401203449 DOI