The Subversive Poetics of Alfred Jarry: Ubusing Culture in the Almanachs Du Pere Ubu

by Marieke Dubbelboer

Paradox and provocation were essential features of all of the work of Alfred Jarry (1873-1907). His non-conformist attitude, whether employed to subvert literary or artistic conventions or to scrutinize social and political issues, marked both his literary writing and his view of the world. Nowhere is this more apparent than in the experimental and satirical Almanachs du PEre Ubu (1898 and 1901), which to date have received little critical attention. Jarry's groundbreaking use of collage in these early works, his absurdist humour and his rethinking of literary authorship and artistic originality foreshadow many innovations of twentieth-century art and literature. In this generously illustrated study Marieke Dubbelboer examines key characteristics of Jarry's poetics through an analysis of the Almanachs and addresses their role within the European avant-garde.

152 pages, Hardcover

First published January 30, 2012

Reviews

[Bruce Graham]

Jarry dyed his hair green so people would notice him. It didn't go down too well. Jarry is still pretty much invisible. Despite having fans like Picasso, Braque, or Apollinaire, Jarry still doesn't have the name recognition the others have managed. He may have helped birth Dada and Surrealism, but like the Passion of Christ considered as a bicycle race, Jarry, if considered at all, may be an absurd embarrassment. This book goes a considerable distance to recovering Jarry's image. My only caveat is the only humor in the book is Jarry's. A strange omission.

[Marte Holman]

Very educational book. Can reccomend it to everyone that's into literature!