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La Lectrice by Raymond Jean
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La Lectrice (original 1986; edition 2003)

by Raymond Jean, Raymond Jean

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1135239,609 (3.18)5
A beautiful homage to the art of reading - light and funny. A celebration of the union of sensuality and language. Marie-Constance loves reading and possesses an attractive voice. So, one day she decides to put an ad in the local paper offering her services as a paid reader. Her first client, a paralysed teenager, is transformed by her reading of a Maupassant short story. Marie-Constance’s fame spreads and soon the rich, the creative and the famous clamour for her services. Why Peirene chose to publish this book: 'The premise of the story is brilliant: a woman who loves reading aloud acquires - without realizing - power over others. What’s true for her clients becomes real for you, the reader of this book. As you turn the pages, think of Marie-Constance as the personification of 'reading’ itself. And I promise you an experience you will never forget.’ Meike Ziervogel 'A clever, funny, and humane work that champions the power of literature.’ David Mills, Sunday Times 'An entertaining, sensuous and, above all, fun outing into the converging worlds of reading, language and sexuality.' Pam Norfolk, Lancashire Evening Post 'Reader for Hire might be the perfect book - written with an elegance whose validity it also questions.' Joanna Walsh, The National 'An excellent new translation of a novel . . . written with a lightness of touch.' Harry Ritchie, Daily Mail 'A beautiful love declaration to the art of reading. A book that will make you want to read more books.’ Cosmopolitan… (more)
Member:ktooropk
Title:La Lectrice
Authors:Raymond Jean
Other authors:Raymond Jean
Info:Actes Sud (2003), Poche, 213 pages
Collections:Your library
Rating:***1/2
Tags:litterature

Work Information

Reader for Hire by Raymond Jean (1986)

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» See also 5 mentions

English (2)  French (2)  Spanish (1)  All languages (5)
Showing 2 of 2
An amusing, mildly erotic little book whose heroine takes up the profession of a reader. Her encounters with various patrons of her new profession provide the stories as much as those she reads. A light book with a light touch of high-mindedness in its discussion of French classical literature as part of the plot. Enjoyable. ( )
  Steve38 | Jun 15, 2015 |
An all-too-brief novella about the power and seductiveness of books and language. A young woman offers her services as a reader, little suspecting the power she will exert over the listeners and the local community. Once again I'm astonished that it has taken 30 years for this to be translated into English, and extremely grateful to Adriana Hunter and Pereine Press for doing so. An enjoyable little gem of a book. ( )
  rrmmff2000 | May 5, 2015 |
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» Add other authors (3 possible)

Author nameRoleType of authorWork?Status
Raymond Jeanprimary authorall editionscalculated
Hunter, AdrianaTranslatorsecondary authorsome editionsconfirmed

Belongs to Publisher Series

Peirene Press (Chance Encounter: Meeting The Other, 17)
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A beautiful homage to the art of reading - light and funny. A celebration of the union of sensuality and language. Marie-Constance loves reading and possesses an attractive voice. So, one day she decides to put an ad in the local paper offering her services as a paid reader. Her first client, a paralysed teenager, is transformed by her reading of a Maupassant short story. Marie-Constance’s fame spreads and soon the rich, the creative and the famous clamour for her services. Why Peirene chose to publish this book: 'The premise of the story is brilliant: a woman who loves reading aloud acquires - without realizing - power over others. What’s true for her clients becomes real for you, the reader of this book. As you turn the pages, think of Marie-Constance as the personification of 'reading’ itself. And I promise you an experience you will never forget.’ Meike Ziervogel 'A clever, funny, and humane work that champions the power of literature.’ David Mills, Sunday Times 'An entertaining, sensuous and, above all, fun outing into the converging worlds of reading, language and sexuality.' Pam Norfolk, Lancashire Evening Post 'Reader for Hire might be the perfect book - written with an elegance whose validity it also questions.' Joanna Walsh, The National 'An excellent new translation of a novel . . . written with a lightness of touch.' Harry Ritchie, Daily Mail 'A beautiful love declaration to the art of reading. A book that will make you want to read more books.’ Cosmopolitan

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