Jean Ricardou

Place Names proves to be oh so Dalkey -- too cool for school, by far. The novel is immensely French and is a layered masterpiece of games, repetitions and metaphors. Ricardou's erudition reaches into history and plumbs entomology and geometry to keep the reader honest. Acting as an opposition between the guide book and the novel, the narrative slinks off the established paths, offering as a tithe both vistas of beauty and a knotted enigma which conceals madness and worse. No spoilers here, but Place Names certainly merits a peek, a prone position is recommended, please bring your own magnifying glass.
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