The Man who Walked Through Walls

Description

The excellent Monsieur Dutilleul has always been able to pass through walls, but has never seen the point of using his gift, given the general availability of doors. One day, however, his tyrannical boss drives him to desperate, creative measures - he develops a taste for intramural travel and becomes something of a super-villain. How will the unassuming clerk adjust to a glamorous life of crime? Ayme's genius lies in imagining the practical unfolding of bizarre and difficult situations. In each story, anarchic comedy is arrested by moments of pathos, only to descend into anarchy and hilarity once more ...

Marcel Ayme (1902-67) was one of the great French writers of the twentieth century. Born in the Franche-Comte of Eastern France, he never lost touch with his rural origins, which influenced much of his work. Initially perceived as a man of the left, throughout his life Ayme espoused causes from across the political spectrum, for example apparently supporting Mussolini's colonialism in Africa whilst also campaigning for the abolition of the death penalty. He attracted much controversy for his writings for collaborationist magazines during the Second World War, and his defence of Nazi-sympathising friends including Louis-Ferdinand Celine and Robert Brasillach in the post-war years. Nevertheless Ayme has remained hugely popular in France - this collection is particularly famous, and a dozen of his novels have been turned into films, among them the classics of French cinemaLa Traversee de Paris,La VouivreandUranus.

I have fallen utterly, completely and eternally in love with this writer. And, as with all true love, I am neither ashamed nor afraid to declare it to the world -- Nicholas Lezard Guardian The greatest French writer of the day -- Georges Simenon All of his writings are characterized by their irony, humour and realism, and are concerned with unearthing and examining ... the workings of society and ordinary people's darker motives Bloggerel.com A subtle blend of dry humour, surrealism and social critique The Lady