"L'humour Noir" is one of the seminal concepts of Surrealism, and Breton's famous anthology is his definitive statement on the subject. It contains provocative assessments of the writers he most admired. Some, such as Kafka, Swift, Rimbaud, Poe, Lewis Carroll and Baudelaire, are well known, but other names will come as a revelation to many - as will the passages Breton includes by writers you thought you knew. Breton's original foreword, considered to be one of his most important theoretical essays, is included, along with his preface to the 1966 edition. For each of the 45 authors included, Breton writes a biographical and critical preface, placing their work in the context of black humour, which, as readers will discover for themselves, is a partly macabre, partly ironic, and often absurd turn of spirit that Breton defined as "a superior revolt of the mind."
- ISBN10 0872863212
- ISBN13 9780872863217
- Publish Date 18 January 2001
- Publish Status Active
- Out of Print 28 December 2011
- Publish Country US
- Imprint City Lights Books
- Format Paperback (US Trade)
- Pages 356
- Language English