Description
Book SynopsisThe French New Wave directors of the 1950s rejected the idea that film was a mere extension of literature and exploded traditional methods of film narrative, embracing fragmentation and alienation. The author argues that this rebellious stance is far more complex than critics have acknowledged.
Trade ReviewKline's readings are immensely persuasive. His book is scholarly and erudite, and his familiarity with the byways of French and American literature is impressive. Screen This is a book which will provide useful literary background to students and teachers of the New Wave. Sight and Sound Important [and] valuable... The French 'New Wave' may well have brought an end to the cinema de qualite but doubt is frequently expressed about the real importance of its own achievements. Kline's very welcome book manages to mark out new terrain for investigation in this area, as well as indicating some unexpected depths in the films he examines. -- Thomas Ennis Modern and Contemporary France This is a remarkable book, the first (known to me) of its kind and something of a tour de force... [Kline's thesis is] applied with rigor and sensitivity. -- Keith A. Reader French Studies
