Peter Weiss's 'L'Ombre du corps du cocher' Finally in French
Peter Weiss's 1952 novel 'L'Ombre du corps du cocher' (The Shadow of the Coachman's Body) has been published in French by Éditions Perturbations, translated in late 2008. The text, originally published in 1960, is considered a precursor to the Nouveau Roman. It follows a narrator in a strange rural setting observing bizarre characters: a self-mutilating doctor, a father beating his child who carries stones, a governess, and a valet. The narrative focuses on meticulous observation and the act of seeing, with the narrator even putting salt in his eyes to blur his vision and create new images. The book includes collage drawings by Weiss, who was also a painter. The story culminates in an erotic shadow theater scene between the coachman and the governess.
Key facts
- Peter Weiss wrote the novel in 1952.
- The original German publication was in 1960.
- The French translation was completed in late 2008.
- The publisher is Éditions Perturbations.
- The novel is considered a precursor to the Nouveau Roman.
- Characters include a self-mutilating doctor, a father beating his child, a governess, and a valet.
- The narrator puts salt on his eyes to blur his vision.
- The book contains collage drawings by Weiss.
- The final scene involves erotic shadow theater between the coachman and the governess.
Entities
Artists
- Peter Weiss
Institutions
- Éditions Perturbations
Sources
- artpress —