The Penguin Book of Oulipo review – writing, a user's manual

The Oulipo movement stands to me as a fascinating study of creative processes with differing goals and results. It can be great short circuit around a creative blocks that stem from expectations and unlimited possibility.

I am a fan of utilizing ‘soft Oulipo’ where the rules are more of an influential and motivational underpinning vs absolute rules to be strictly adhered to. As alluded to in the article, this was/is a controversial position.

I’ve tried and failed to get into Perec, who apparently has numerous and inscrutable rules in his works.

On the other hand, I love Italo Calvino and the assembly that resulted in Invisible Cities.

I’ve never heard it described as an example of Oulipo before this article, but Alice Oswald’s Memorial is amazing and sparse and heartbreaking, especially if you managed to make it through a more traditional translation of the Iliad.

You might also find this apt: you must omit all fifth glyphs on this mastodon social forum

https://oulipo.social