Speculations

by Alfred Jarry

Translated into modern English by R J Dent

Alfred Jarry spent his brief and turbulent life experimenting with genres of fiction. In his last few years, he created a new literary form: the absurdist speculative essay.

R J Dent’s new English translation of Speculations contains sixty-eight of Jarry’s essays, originally printed between 1901 and 1904 as a series, ‘Spéculations’, in the French journal Le Revue Blanche.

In Jarry’s darkly-comic collection of surrealist and satirical prose pieces, the renowned author deploys his characteristic satirical eye and dark humour to devastating effect.

The essays in Speculations range in tone from the wildly comic to the deeply tragic and cover a diversity of subjects, ranging from French Trees to Cannibalism.

For Jarry, nothing is sacred; everything is worthy material for his surreal satire; the Passion is presented as a sporting event; buses are the prey of big game hunters, and even the Queen is licked from behind.

Book Details:

Title: Speculations
Author: Alfred Jarry
Translator: R J Dent
Publisher: Black Scat Books
ISBN-13: 979-8985999617
Publication Date: March 22, 2022
Language: English
Format: Paperback
Pages: 235
Item Weight: 11.2 ounces (317.5 grams)
Dimensions: 5.06 x 0.59 x 7.81 inches (‎12.85 x 1.5 x 19.84 cm)

Publisher’s product information: https://blackscatbooks.com/2022/03/23/jarry-lives/

Translator’s product information: http://www.rjdent.com/speculations/

Purchase link (USA): https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09W78YV4G

Purchase link (UK): https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B09W78YV4G

Purchase link (Aus): https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B09W78YV4G

R J Dent’s website: http://www.rjdent.com/