Alfred Jarry: The Man With the Axe

by Nigey Lennon

Alfred Jarry (1873-1907) lived fast, died young, and refused to accept objective reality. He was a major influence on later artistic movements such as Dada and Surrealism, and his nihilistic 1896 play, "Ubu Roj," is acknowledged as the turning point in modern drama. In this first English-language biography illustrated by Bill Griffith--Nigey Lennon presents a vivid, stylish, and empathetic portrait of the man behind Jarry's mythoabsurdist persona, as well as a clear, insightful overview of his writing.

Genres: Nonfiction, Biography

120 pages, Paperback

First published September 11, 2013

Reviews

[Nate D · Rating 2 out of 5]

Here's an odd one -- a slim biography of Alfred Jarry illustrated by Bill Griffith, whose Zippy the Pinhead newspaper comic completely baffled me as a child when I'd try to read it between Garfield and B.C. or whatever. Now his absurdism makes much more sense, particularly seeing that he has an affinity for Jarry (and presumably dada and surrealism as well). Anyway, I really should know more about Jarry, and the Strand dollar racks have once again proved full of opportune and amazing items by providing this. How is it? Cursory but informative, and full of breezy asides and interjections that will either charm or irritate you. Nigey Lennon seems to be best known for a subsequent book about Frank Zappa, if that helps shed light on her interests further.

[Aaron · Rating 4 out of 5]

Would have been 5 stars but I had to subtract one because it took me DAYS to read that 20-page Jarry fanfic at the end.

[Lance Mekeel · Rating 1 out of 5]

Spoiler alert!!! If you're looking for a book that paints a spectacular picture of a figure of fin de siecle Paris, this book is for you. Lennon's narrative is hyperbolic, grossly under-researched, disgustingly barren of references, and is horribly inaccurate--she obscures the facts of Jarry's life and the premiere of "Ubu Roi" in just about every respect in this book. Her purpose was obviously to champion Jarry as a rebellious figure of the late-nineteenth, early-twentieth century, because nothing else can be ascertained from this junk-heap of celebratory nonsense. So, if you can pardon her misinformed, misguided, and misrepresenting "biography" of Jarry, I commend you for your ignorance, and say, "I'm glad you made it through the book."

Seriously though, if you're looking for a mythical iconoclastic persona to idolize, an introduction to Jarry through this book will certainly give you what you're looking for. When I was an undergraduate, I would have believed everything Lennon says. Now that I know better, I can see why Lennon wrote what she did and how she could get away with it, but know it all to be founded on baseless anecdotes and false tales from people who knew or purported to know Jarry. Jarry's life and works remain perplexing and unresolved to even the most learned and expert scholars, because the guy was a brilliant prankster. Why couldn't his ultimate prank be to make us all, 100+ years after his death, take him seriously and believe him to be worth writing about?

[Paul Robertz · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was fascinated by Alfred Jarry and 'Pataphysics 35 years ago. Last month I was pleasantly surprised to see that a well-known bizarre cartoonist collaborated on this, when I found a copy on the closeout table in my neighborhood bookstore. It may fail as a well-researched biography, but succeeds as a comic book about Jarry and 'Pataphysics. It's funny and an easy was for Jarry fans to bring the eccentric author to new generations of readers. My favorite part was the last chapter about Alfred Jarry in Los Angeles, 110 years after his birth.

[Chris Browning · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not a particularly in-depth biography, more a slightly less dense retread of Shattuck but this isn’t necessarily a bad thing - Lennon is obviously a huge fan of Jarry and her enthusiasm spills over and is particularly good when explaining ‘Pataphysics and some of Jarry’s wider influence. It feels a little like an extended magazine article, but is well worth tracking down for Bill Griffiths art which, although not necessarily the most Ubu-esque, does feel like as much of a labour of love as Lennon’s text

[Randy · Rating 1 out of 5]

Stopped reading due to apparent errors in the research. Also, am not a fan of Bill Griffith, and can't subscribe to the thought of him being the modern heir to Alfred Jarry in any respect. I use the book as a drink coaster now. I do like the colors on the cover.

If you want to learn more about Alfred Jarry, read Alastair Brotchie's "Alfred Jarry: A Pataphysical Life". It is fantastic.

[Dustin Reade · Rating 5 out of 5]

read this years ago. I was blown away at how funny and...uh, FUNNY! it was.

It is fittingly surreal, absurd, bizarre.
All the best words for "weird and wonderful" that you can think of.
Great illustration, awesome story, and great subject matter: Alfred "Kick-Me-The-Knick-Knacks" Jarry.

[Jenna · Rating 3 out of 5]

A competent introduction to what's exciting about Alfred Jarry, but I really wish there had more actual excerpts from his work. It's a whole lot of build up with little evidence to prove it... by the end I feel like I know why Lennon is enraptured more than I understand Jarry's actual genius.

Also kinda baffled by the fan fiction final chapter but I mean, you do you.

[Sean Hoade · Rating 5 out of 5]

An entertaining and very informative biography of the greatest literary force you've never heard of.

[Richard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pschitt.