Reviewing Blindness in French Fiction 1789 2013

This book argues that the most interesting depictions of blindness in French fiction are those which call into question and ultimately undermine the prevailing myths and stereotypes of blindness which dominate Western thought. ‘Through thoughtful juxtapositions in modern French fiction, Thompson posits text as both a material and critical encounter in order to celebrate blindness and topple stereotypes. Masterful analyses demonstrate the eloquence of “blind” narrative in cultivating the pleasure of the unexpected and shaping representation in Western traditions.’ — Tammy Berberi, Associate Professor of French, University of Minnesota, Morris, USA This book argues that the most interesting depictions of blindness in French fiction are those which call into question and ultimately undermine the prevailing myths and stereotypes of blindness which dominate Western thought. Rather than seeing blindness as an affliction, a tragedy or even a fate worse than death, the authors examined in this study celebrate blindness for its own sake. For them it is a powerful artistic and creative force which offers new and surprising ways of describing, and relating to, reality. Canonical and lesser-known novels from a range of genres, including the roman noir, science fiction, auto-fiction and realism are analyzed in detail to show how the presence of blind characters invites the reader to abandon his or her traditional reliance on the sense of sight and engage with the world in sensual, and hitherto unexpected, ways. This book challenges everything we thought we knew about blindness and invites us to revel in the pleasures and perils of reading blind.