Correspondence – Georges Bataille and Michel Leiris
(Author) Georges BatailleIncluding a number of short essays by Bataille and Leiris on aspects of the other's work as well as excerpts on Bataille from Leiris' diaries, this collection of correspondence throws new light on two of Surrealism's most radical dissidents. In the autumn of 1924, just before André Breton published the Manifeste du surréalisme, two young men met in Paris for the first time. Georges Bataille, 27, starting work at the Bibliothèque Nationale; Michel Leiris, 23, beginning his studies in ethnology. Within a few months, they were both members of the Surrealist group, although their adherence to Surrealism (unlike their affinities with it) would not last long: in 1930 they were among the signatories of "Un cadavre," the famous tract against Breton, the "Machiavelli of Montmartre," as Leiris put it. But their friendship would endure for more than 30 years, and their correspondence, assembled here for the first time in English, would continue until the death of Bataille in 1962.
Georges Bataille
Georges Bataille (1897-1962) was a French writer and philosopher known for his provocative and controversial works that explored themes of eroticism, death, and transgression. His most notable works include "Story of the Eye," "The Accursed Share," and "Erotism: Death and Sensuality." Bataille's literary style was characterized by a blend of philosophical inquiry, poetic prose, and surreal imagery. He made significant contributions to literature through his exploration of taboo subjects and his challenge to conventional moral and social norms. Bataille's impact on his genre can be seen in his influence on postmodern and avant-garde writers, as well as his role in the development of French intellectual thought. His most famous work, "Story of the Eye," remains a controversial and influential work in the realm of transgressive literature.
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