Chaves Nogales' 'Histoires prodigieuses' reviewed
Olivier Renault reviews Manuel Chaves Nogales' 'Histoires prodigieuses', published by Quai Voltaire. The author, known for 'À feu et à sang' (2011) and 'Juan Belmonte matador de taureaux' (Verdier), excels in the short form. His stories open with arresting lines, plunging readers into ongoing action. He distills lives into brief, brutal summaries, as in 'Payer à l'ordre de… Valeur au compte de… Voilà toute l’histoire d’une vie.' Characters are puppets of misery and fate, such as a poet neighbor prevented by poverty from surpassing Goethe. The collection includes classified ads that encapsulate life's notable facts.
Key facts
- Manuel Chaves Nogales is the author of 'Histoires prodigieuses'.
- The book is published by Quai Voltaire.
- Chaves Nogales also wrote 'À feu et à sang' (2011) and 'Juan Belmonte matador de taureaux' (Verdier).
- The review was written by Olivier Renault.
- The review appeared in artpress.
- The stories begin with in medias res openings.
- One story features a poet neighbor unable to surpass Goethe due to poverty.
- The collection includes classified ads as narrative devices.
Entities
Artists
- Manuel Chaves Nogales
- Juan Belmonte
- Goethe
- Diderot
Institutions
- Quai Voltaire
- Verdier
- artpress
Sources
- artpress —