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This is the first Oulipo novel I‘ve ever read. The writer used 11 different stylist forms🤯. The translator is a queen! It follows the lives of French mathematicians during the first and second world wars. Emotionally powerful

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Audin is a member of the French Oulipo group that combines literature and mathematics by imposing restrictions on their writing (i.e. not using particular letters in a chapter). This in no way takes away from the reading experience and may not even be noticed until you read the translator‘s note.

This follows a group of European mathematicians during the world wars. I didn‘t expect this to be a quick read, but I finished in one day. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This chapter‘s footnotes slowed my reading progress down a little, but it was a fascinating addition to the story. It is a German officer and mathematician‘s journal from Paris in 1942.

One chapter in and I can tell that I‘m going to enjoy the structure of this book. Each chapter is told in a different style - fable, diary, historical research. Deep Vellum Press is one of my favs! 😍

I'm still processing this strange, beautiful novel of European mathematicians during the war years. Audin is a mathematician and this is her debut novel. It's experimental, written in several styles, but very readable and totally haunting.

Today's Mother's Day was mixed, but I'm finishing it curled up in bed with a cup of tea and French novels, so it's a net win.

#THISISTHEEND This was one my my favorites last year, perhaps favorite of all time, thanks to Liberty!

Interesting book, a bit of a mix of fact and fiction. I liked how the different stories were connected. And I'm making a friend read it too. 😁

Ominous quote about the soon to be WWII.

This will either be my last book of March or my first book of April. I'm not reading it very fast so perhaps it will be April.

Next one on the agenda. I've been looking forward to reading this one after seeing that a friend had read it.

My reading slump is officially over so now I'm catching up on what I had planned to read this month. #marchhasbeenrough

Another combo post today. #RiotGram asked for bookmarks (aka quitter strips), because only monsters dog ear pages, and a palate cleanser for #FeistyFeb. After reading The Possessions I needed to calm my brain down, so thanks for that 121 Days.

an international move, a re-read of infinite jest, and a major downturn in audio book time meant that I didn't read nearly as much as I'd hoped to this year. but I did read a lot of really good ones.

Know how you know what the sun looks like even though you can't look right at it? This book achieves that effect with edges of history, people, ideas & concepts blurring towards each other to create the story. Very cool.

I rather enjoyed this chronicle of mathematicians and how they touched history - specifically French and German history during WWII. I like the way it is presented - diaries, newspaper articles, interviews. I'm all about the process.

I went to the library, and all I got was this excellent book about math and fairy tales (and seven other books).

Up next. A little intimidating in that I had to look up Oulipo & I recoil at the memory of some less-than-fun (at least, for me) experimental fiction experiences (I'm looking at you, Ban en Banlieue). But I can't stop wondering about this one so I figured I'd just go ahead & read it. Wish me luck!

Interesting topic and beautiful translation.

Not really a Fourth of July read, but interesting none the less. Happy 4th of July🇺🇸

I loved this book. So amazing. I almost want to start it over and read it again, but alas, it is overdue. Need to get it into the next person's hands waiting for it...

How does one truly measure the value of a life lived? Audin doesn‘t presume to answer, but her mesmerizing first novel poses the question with artful grace.

Will reread to review. Super interesting.

Currently reading.