Description
Book SynopsisThe Oulipo is a literary think tank that brings together writers and mathematicians. This book assesses the work of the group, explores where it came from, and envisages its future. Redefining the Oulipo’s key concept of the constraint in a clear and rigorous way, Chris Andrews weighs the roles of craft and imitation in the group’s practice.
Trade Review“An excellent read. Informative, challenging, vigorously stimulating, and highly inspiring. Chris Andrews presents a comprehensive study that invites the reader to want to know more about Oulipo and formalism in literature. This book enriches Oulipo's critique at the international level.” Marc Lapprand, University of Victoria and author of Pourquoi l'Oulipo?
“Readers should not be fooled by the title of this work. It is not a primer on how to streamline inefficient office procedures. It is rather an impressive panoramic survey of the Oulipo (OuLiPo), a school of initially French writers who first got together in 1960 to explore the intersection of science and literature. [Oulipians] see restraints as gateways to creation in the same way that the algorithmic sonnet shape generates endless variety. Counterintuitively, in their view, forms liberate rather than enslave. They give the imagination wings to soar into the literary stratosphere. Highly recommended.” Choice
