The Illogic of Kassel - Softcover

Vila–matas, Enrique; Mclean, Anne; Milsom, Anna

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0811221490 ISBN 13: 9780811221498

Publisher: New Directions, 2015

Synopsis

A puzzling phone call shatters a writer's routine. An enigmatic female voice extends a dinner invitation, and it soon becomes clear that this is an invitation to take part in the documenta, the legendary exhibition of contemporary art held every five years in Kassel, Germany. The writer's mission will be to sit down to write every morning in a Chinese restaurant on the outskirts of town, transforming himself into a living art installation. Once in Kassel, the writer is surprised to find himself overcome by good cheer as he strolls through the city, spurred on by the endless supply of energy at the heart of the exhibition. This is his spontaneous, quirky response to art, rising up against pessimism.With humor, profundity, and a sharp eye, Enrique Vila-Matas tells the story of a solitary man, who, roaming the streets amid oddities and wonder, takes it upon himself to translate from a language he does not understand.

About this title

Review:

An enjoyable journey through the mind of a magnificent Spanish author.

An elegant and ironic writer. Vila-Matas is one of Spain's most distinguished novelists.--Rachel Nolan

Enrique Vila-Matas has pioneered one of the contemporary literature's most interesting responses to the great Modernist writers.

Vila-Matas leads the reader through a whimsical tour of art installations and occurrences, all the while referencing authors and artists that enhance how his narrator perceives (e.g. Kafka, Walser, Roussel, Gaddis, Duchamp, Dali, and Calle).--Rob Stephenson

For Vila-Matas, literature is a chamber of echoes. But rather than thinking of this as a criticism, this is to be embraced--one of literature's eternal beauties.--Tristan Foster

I don't know Vila-Matas personally, nor am I planning to meet him. I prefer to read him and let his literature pervade me.--Pedro Almódovar

Book Description:

The award-winning novelist brings his trademark humour and lightly worn intelligence to the contemporary art world

About this edition

• Publisher: New Directions
• Publication date: 2015
• ISBN 10: 0811221490
• ISBN 13: 9780811221498
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 256