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The Origin of the World

Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
The Origin of the World by Pierre Michon is an introspective journey that blends elements of art, history, and personal narrative. The novel intricately explores the life of a rural French artist who becomes consumed by the pursuit of creating a masterpiece. Through his struggles with personal demons and artistic ambition, Michon weaves a narrative that delves into the essence of creation and the artist's place in the world.
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

You might enjoy this book if you appreciate literary fiction that delves into themes of art, history, and existential musings. Pierre Michon's exquisite language and layers of meaning offer a rich reading experience, appealing to those who value deep, reflective storytelling. If you enjoy narratives that weave together past and present with philosophical insight, this might be the perfect choice for you.

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An exploration of the mysteries of desire by the French master Pierre Michon

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

This spare, unforgettable novel is Pierre Michon's luminous exploration of the mysteries of desire. A young teacher takes his first job in a sleepy French town. Lost in a succession of rainy days and sleepless nights, he falls under the spell of a town resident, a woman of seductive beauty and singular charm.

Yvonne. Yvonne. "Everything about her screamed desire setting something in motion while settling a fingertip to the counter, turning her head slightly, gold earrings brushing her cheek while she watched you or watched nothing at all; this desire was open, like a wound; and she knew it, wore it with valor, with passion."

Michon probes the destructive powers of passion and the consuming need for love in this heartbreaking novel.

Series: The Margellos World Republic of Letters

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Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Pierre Michon's The Origin of the World is praised for its poetic exploration of themes such as love, life, sex, and death, with a focus on the hidden violence at their intersections. It's described as a fabulistic and archetypal narrative that delves into the realm of emotional and physical survival. The book is regarded as a profound shift in modern French storytelling, creating an engaging and mythic experience for readers.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780300180701

Publisher: Yale University Press

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 22 October 2013

Country: United States

Imprint: Yale University Press

Contributors:

  • Translated by Wyatt Mason
  • Afterword by Roger Shattuck

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 8.0mm

Width: 127.0mm

Height: 197.0mm

Weight: 159g

Pages: 112

About the Author

Pierre Michon is an author of high acclaim in France and Europe. He was winner of the Prix France Culture in 1984 for his first book, Small Lives, and of the 1996 Prix de la Ville de Paris for his body of work. He lives in France. Wyatt Mason, a contributing writer for the New York Times Magazine and a contributing editor at Harper’s, has translated writing by Pierre Michon, Eric Chevillard, Michel de Montaigne, and Arthur Rimbaud. He teaches at Bard College.

Also by Pierre Michon

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  • Winter Mythologies and Abbots
    Michon’s exquisite short narratives transport us to the heart of the Middle Ages as witnesses to the double-edged power of belief. This welcome volume brings to English-language readers two beautifully crafted works by the internationally acclaimed French author Pierre Michon. Populated by distant and little-known figuresβ€”Irish and French monks, saints, and scientists in Winter Mythologies; Benedictine monks in the VendΓ©e...
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