{"product_id":"the-empire-builders-by-boris-vian-rare-books","title":"The empire builders by boris vian [rare books]","description":"\u003ch3 class=\"\" data-end=\"169\" data-start=\"150\"\u003eBook Summary:\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-end=\"483\" data-start=\"171\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"relative -mx-px my-[-0.2rem] rounded px-px py-[0.2rem] transition-colors duration-100 ease-in-out\"\u003e\u003cem data-is-only-node=\"\" data-end=\"25\" data-start=\"0\"\u003eLes Bâtisseurs d'Empire\u003c\/em\u003e, also known as \u003cem data-end=\"53\" data-start=\"41\"\u003eLe Schmürz\u003c\/em\u003e, is a 1959 play by French writer Boris Vian.\u003c\/span\u003e \u003cspan class=\"relative -mx-px my-[-0.2rem] rounded px-px py-[0.2rem] transition-colors duration-100 ease-in-out\"\u003eThis darkly comedic and absurdist work portrays a bourgeois family—comprising a father, mother, their daughter Zénobie, and a maid—who are driven to madness by an unexplained, ever-present noise and a silent, mistreated figure known as the \"Schmürz.\"\u003c\/span\u003e \u003cspan class=\"relative -mx-px my-[-0.2rem] rounded px-px py-[0.2rem] transition-colors duration-100 ease-in-out\"\u003eEach time the noise becomes unbearable, the family relocates to a smaller apartment higher in their building, progressively losing their belongings and members.\u003c\/span\u003e \u003cspan class=\"relative -mx-px my-[-0.2rem] rounded px-px py-[0.2rem] transition-colors duration-100 ease-in-out\"\u003eThe Schmürz, a mute and battered character, silently endures abuse from the family, symbolizing the marginalized and oppressed.\u003c\/span\u003e \u003cspan class=\"relative -mx-px my-[-0.2rem] rounded px-px py-[0.2rem] transition-colors duration-100 ease-in-out\"\u003eZénobie is the only one who attempts to communicate with him, but her efforts are in vain.\u003c\/span\u003e \u003cspan class=\"relative -mx-px my-[-0.2rem] rounded px-px py-[0.2rem] transition-colors duration-100 ease-in-out\"\u003eThe play culminates in the family's complete disintegration, leaving the father and the Schmürz as the sole survivors, possibly perishing together in the end.\u003c\/span\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-end=\"643\" data-start=\"485\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"relative -mx-px my-[-0.2rem] rounded px-px py-[0.2rem] transition-colors duration-100 ease-in-out\"\u003eVian's work is a critique of bourgeois society, colonialism, and the absurdity of human existence.\u003c\/span\u003e \u003cspan class=\"relative -mx-px my-[-0.2rem] rounded px-px py-[0.2rem] transition-colors duration-100 ease-in-out\"\u003eThe recurring noise and the Schmürz's silent suffering serve as metaphors for societal ills, including the Algerian War's impact on France during the late 1950s.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 class=\"\" data-end=\"685\" data-start=\"650\"\u003eAbout the Author: \u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-end=\"965\" data-start=\"687\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"relative -mx-px my-[-0.2rem] rounded px-px py-[0.2rem] transition-colors duration-100 ease-in-out\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBoris Vian \u003c\/strong\u003e(1920–1959) was a multifaceted French writer, poet, musician, and engineer, renowned for his avant-garde and satirical works.\u003c\/span\u003e \u003cspan class=\"relative -mx-px my-[-0.2rem] rounded px-px py-[0.2rem] transition-colors duration-100 ease-in-out\"\u003eHe was associated with the post-war literary movement known as the \"Pataphysics,\" which explored the absurd and the imaginary.\u003c\/span\u003e \u003cspan class=\"relative -mx-px my-[-0.2rem] rounded px-px py-[0.2rem] transition-colors duration-100 ease-in-out\"\u003eVian's works often challenged societal norms and conventions, blending humor with critical commentary.\u003c\/span\u003e \u003cspan class=\"relative -mx-px my-[-0.2rem] rounded px-px py-[0.2rem] transition-colors duration-100 ease-in-out\"\u003eIn addition to \u003cem data-end=\"40\" data-start=\"15\"\u003eLes Bâtisseurs d'Empire\u003c\/em\u003e, his notable works include the novels \u003cem data-end=\"98\" data-start=\"79\"\u003eL'Écume des jours\u003c\/em\u003e (Froth on the Daydream) and \u003cem data-end=\"158\" data-start=\"127\"\u003eJ'irai cracher sur vos tombes\u003c\/em\u003e (I Shall Spit on Your Graves), as well as plays like \u003cem data-end=\"238\" data-start=\"212\"\u003eL'Équarrissage pour tous\u003c\/em\u003e (Knackery for All).\u003c\/span\u003e \u003cspan class=\"relative -mx-px my-[-0.2rem] rounded px-px py-[0.2rem] transition-colors duration-100 ease-in-out\"\u003eHis untimely death at the age of 39 cut short a prolific and influential career.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Clapping Pages","offers":[{"title":"Used","offer_id":45253233737914,"sku":"343O4PVR5-Used","price":99.0,"currency_code":"AED","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0713\/5576\/0826\/files\/vian.jpg?v=1760979997","url":"https:\/\/clappingpages.com\/products\/the-empire-builders-by-boris-vian-rare-books","provider":"Clapping Pages","version":"1.0","type":"link"}