Guillaume Apollinaire
Guillaume Apollinaire was a French poet, playwright, short story writer, novelist, and art critic. He is considered one of the foremost poets of the early 20th century and a forefather of Surrealism. Apollinaire is credited with coining the term 'Surrealism' and was a significant influence on the avant-garde movements in art and literature.
Books
This list of books are ONLY the books that have been ranked on the lists that are aggregated on this site. This is not a comprehensive list of all books by this author.
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1. Alcools
"Alcools" is a collection of poems that explores various themes such as love, loss, and the passage of time. The work is notable for its innovative use of form and syntax, often eschewing traditional punctuation and capitalization. The poems are rich in imagery and symbolism, drawing on a wide range of influences from mythology to modern urban life. The collection is considered a landmark of modernist literature, reflecting the author's unique vision and distinctive poetic voice.
The 478th Greatest Book of All TimePurchase from Bookshop.org or Amazon -
2. Calligrammes
Poèmes de la paix et de la guerre 1913-1916
"Calligrammes" is a collection of free verse poetry and typographical experiments by a French poet. The poems are noted for their use of complex visual layouts and playful language, which often incorporate elements of surrealism and cubism. The collection is also notable for its exploration of various themes, including love, war, and the passage of time. The title of the collection refers to the poet's use of words and phrases to create a visual image, or calligram, on the page.
The 4620th Greatest Book of All TimePurchase from Bookshop.org or Amazon -
3. Selected Writings
Poems, Plays, Prose, and Letters
"Selected Writings" is a compilation of works by a pioneering figure in 20th-century literature, showcasing a diverse array of poetic and prose pieces that reflect the author's innovative approach to language and form. The collection spans the breadth of his career, featuring avant-garde poetry that breaks free from traditional structures, as well as narrative prose that blends surrealism with acute observations of modern life. The author's fascination with themes such as love, war, and the artistic struggle is evident throughout the anthology, which serves as a testament to his influence on the development of modernist literature and his role in bridging the gap between the artistic movements of his time.
The 7966th Greatest Book of All TimePurchase from Amazon -
5. The Poet Assassinated
In a surreal and satirical narrative, the story unfolds as a fantastical biography of a poet whose life is marked by extraordinary events and whimsical adventures. The protagonist, a symbol of artistic genius and rebellion, navigates a world filled with absurdity and irony, challenging societal norms and confronting the absurdities of fame and creativity. Through a series of allegorical episodes, the tale explores themes of artistic creation, the fleeting nature of life, and the inevitable clash between the visionary and the mundane, all wrapped in a playful yet poignant critique of the modern world.
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6. Selected Poems
A compact selection of poems that channels the exhilaration and dislocation of early-20th-century modernity—Parisian streets, wartime grief, erotic intensity—through daring formal experiments (free verse, play with typography and visual layout) and a voice that blends irony, tenderness, mythic echoes, and raw immediacy, mapping love, loss, and the shock of the modern city with startling imagistic freshness.
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