Comment Parlez Books

Remember the hoopla over the supposed hypnotic qualities of Agatha Christie's writing about a year ago? Pierre Bayard, who created an high-minded analysis of her writings with Who Killed Roger Ackroyd, is again splashing about in the literary pond with the assertion that You don't have to read a book to talk wisely about it. In the article from the Timesonline:

How to talk about a book you have never read
Avoid precise details. Put aside rational thought. Let your sub-conscience express your personal relationship with the work

How to review a book
Put it in front of you, close your eyes and try to perceive what may interest you about it. Then write about yourself

How to discuss a book with its author
Stick to generalities, remain ambiguous and say how much you like the work

Aside from these hilarious insights, I find this French offering (last I heard it ranks #3 on Amazon.fr) quite logical. I predict an English translation will appear post-haste, no one will read it, but it will sell well and everyone will be talking and writing about it. After all, I've just "reviewed" Bayard's book without reading it.

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