Customer Reviews
Hilarious, Mind-stretching and Inspirational - By: Andy Back, 19 Aug 2002 
Okay, so that's a bit over the top. But these stories (one story, toldin many different ways, actually) make me smile, make me think about language, syntax, construction & style, & inspire me to have a go myself.
The writer uses a range of styles to explore the differences this makes to the story, & to the reader's perception of the protagonists. This book is a must for anyone who ever tried to write using different voices orin different contexts (for example, a letter has a different tone to a newspaper report, a police statement or a short story, probably).
The stunning realisation that this book is a translation from the French makes the translator seem just as remarkable as the author!
How many ways are there to tell a story? - By: , 18 Jan 2001 
Many! any reader of this book will testify so! Playfull, but on certain occasions tirring by its repetitiveness. Enlightning & imaginative, as it illustrates the understanding of one storyin many ways, through many prismas, as different characters would describe. A trip I would definitely suggest to everyone.
It is hard to render Queneau's wit into another language. - By: , 21 Jan 1999 I have not yet read the English translation Barbara Wright made of "Exercices de style". Someone else said that she "stayed true" to the original version, but I find it hard to believe that she could exactly render Queneau's wit into English. Instead, I exhort anyone who is learning French to read the original version; it is a remarkable opportunity to learn the structure of a foreign language, & to laugh at the same time. Or, if you know Italian a little, try to read the translation by Umberto Eco; as both a semiologist & a writer, he skilfully added new amusing variations on the main theme.
An essential book for writers - By: , 20 Nov 1998 Queneau keeps you laughing so that you almost fail to notice him slippingin a remarkable lesson about language, writing, & creativity. This book forever changed the way I teach my college writing course-and changed me as a writer.
One of literature's greatest jokes! - By: , 07 Jul 1998 Queneau was, among many other things, a brilliant gamester. In this book he takes the most banal of stories & tells it 99 timesin 99 different styles. It is a weird book, whose charm grows as you continue. Once you get to the 5th or 6th version of this inane tale, you begin to laugh & gasp & don't stop until the end. Like all good jokes, it is more than a joke. If you delightin language, read this book. If you do not delightin launguage, this book will teach you to. I have read the original French version, & Barbara Wright has stayed true to itin this wonderful translation. Don't miss this gem!
