The Novel as Performance: The Example of Raymond Federman

Authors : Serpil OPPERMANN, Michael OPPERMANN

Pages : 75-93

View : 10 | Download : 9

Publication Date : 1996-04-01

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :Raymond Federman defines his novel Double or Nothing 1971 as a constant movement in language, as one long and incessant improvisation LeClair and McCaffery 130-31 . Federman`s statement points to a basic resemblance between a jam session and the act of writing. It underlines a certain aspect of his work, namely its apparently spontaneous, performatory nature. Especially his poetry finds a new dimension in a live performance with German avantgarde jazz combo Arte De Fakt; a jazz session appears to be an almost ideal framework for Federman`s masterful explorations of the musical qualities of language, as it is also demonstrated by his recording of Playtexts 1 and 2 1992 for Bayerischer Rundfunk. The use of one and three jazz musicians respectively results in a brilliant fusion of a poetry recital and a jam session. By referring to Double or Nothing as an incessant improvisation, Federman deliberately annihilates any borderline between his poetry and his novels.
Keywords :