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Speaking East
The Strange and Enchanted Life of Isidore Isou
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Format: Hardback
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See moreThe life and times of Isidore Isou, a pivotal figure in the history of the avant-garde.
Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and
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Description
Isidore Isou was a young Jew in war-time Bucharest, and barely survived the Romanian Holocaust. He made his way to Paris where in 1945 he founded the avant-garde movement Lettrism, described as the missing link between Dada, Surrealism, Situationism and May '68.
In Speaking East, Andrew Hussey presents a colourful picture of the post-war Left Bank, where Lettrist fists flew in avant-garde punch-ups in Jazz clubs and cafes. Isou, as sexy and as charismatic as the young Elvis, gathered around him a group of hooligan disciples who argued, drank and had sex with the Parisian intellectual elite.
This is a vibrant account of the life and times of a pivotal figure in the history of the avant-garde.
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?
Andrew Hussey's biography offers a compelling and vivid portrayal of Isidore Isou's life, capturing his role in twentieth-century avant-garde movements against the vibrant backdrop of Paris's Left Bank. Hussey is praised for his vivid prose and deep historical insight, successfully reflecting Isou's creative spirit while situating him within the broader context of postwar French thought. This work is noted for its expert storytelling and thorough exploration of both Isou's personal passions and the historical traumas he faced.
Book Details
INFORMATION
ISBN: 9781789144925
Publisher: Reaktion Books
Format: Hardback
Date Published: 13 September 2021
Country: United Kingdom
Imprint: Reaktion Books
Illustration: 43 illustrations, 8 in colour
Audience: General / adult
DIMENSIONS
Width: 156.0mm
Height: 234.0mm
Weight: 250g
Pages: 328
About the Author
Andrew Hussey was formerly Dean and Professor at the University of London in Paris. He has written for the New Statesman, the Observer and The New York Times, and his books include Paris, The Secret History which has been translated into a dozen languages and The French Intifada (2015) which was Sunday Times Book of the Week. He lives in Paris.
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