Tropisms

For anyone who loves language and literature, this book is a must. In Tropisms, Sarraute succeeded in creating a work that is inspiring, heartbreaking, and so full of life that it still seems fresh and new. A must for any would-be writer--this is what great use of language is all about.

Tropisms are, as the author says, movements of the mind... movements most of us are not aware of, even though they are insepperable from human existance. This book is an attempt to express on paper what these tropisms look like, in short episodes of no more that two or three pages.For people interested in new forms of expression or thinking about writing, this may be a place to start. For those who want to read something unlike most of the stories they encounter from day to day, this will be it.

A fascinating book for any writer or student of language. Tropisms doesn't tell a story so much as paint a scene and/or communicate feeling. Sarraute's language --originally written in the late 1930's-- for the most part still feels modern and fresh, in part due to her unconventional and brave writing style. Tropisms is a thin book I carry with me in my daytime planner and read over and over again. Sarraute's ability to clearly describe the most mundane actions and feelings is an excellent training ground for writers. I learn something new about words, language, and humanity every time I open this book.