Le Roman Francais Contemporain

• Credit value: 30 credits at Level 6
• Comvenor: Professor Akane Kawakami
• Tutors: Professor Akane Kawakami, Aude Campmas

This module will examine the French contemporary novel both chronologically and historically: from its origins in the nouveau roman of the 1960s, through the philosophical fictions of Michel Tournier to the ‘retour au récit’ effected by Patrick Modiano, the neo-Kafkaesque works of Guibert and NDiaye, and the fake ‘beur’ epic of Paul Smaïl. We will study these works in their philosophical, literary and post-colonial contexts.

This module will be taught in English and French: the texts should be read in French.

TEXTS

• Hervé Guibert, Le Paradis (1992)
• Patrick Modiano, Rue des boutiques obscures (1978)
• Patrick Modiano, Voyage de noces (1990)
• Marie NDiaye, En famille (1990)
• Marie NDiaye, Un temps de saison (1994)
• Nathalie Sarraute, Les fruits d’or (1963)
• Paul Smaïl, Ali le magnifique (2003)
• Michel Tournier, La goutte d’or (1986)