Queen Mobs Reviews The Inventors and Other Poems

Mark Hutchinson's latest translation, The Inventors by René Char, is a great success, writes Greg Behm at Queen Mobs Teahouse presenting "Char in a way the English language had not yet been able." More:

Whether an enduring fan of the complex writing of René Char, or a recent inductee, readers of the 20th century French poet will be greatly surprised and positively overwhelmed by the latest English translation. The Inventors and Other Poems (Seagull Books, 2015), translated by Mark Hutchinson, is the complementary follow-up to Hutchinson’s previous effort on Char, Hypnos: Notes from the French Resistance (also from Seagull Books, in 2014). Together, the writing in the Hypnos war journal, and eclectic offerings in The Inventors represent what Hutchinson refers to as “the heart” of this leading member of the French resistance and master of symbolism and psychological complexity. It has been quite easy to agree, having read Char translations for several years: these two volumes fit together well enough and optimally present Char in a way the English language had not yet been able.

Hutchinson’s translation work in The Inventors revolves around summation. As he admits, the selections in this short volume (roughly forty pieces) cover Char’s later, more mature work, with inclusion criteria serving to survey the varying styles and forms of writing that has brought recognition and timelessness to Char as both a writer with countless outputs and a human with countless experiences. From short, sparse conversational poems to cryptic and dense blocks of poetic prose, with the occasional aphoristic sequence, The Inventors serves to introduce the reader (or reintroduce through more sophisticated translation, for those already familiar) to Char’s breadth. Included in the volume are well-known pieces, such as the book’s title poem, or “The Library is on Fire,” which provide a chilling representation of Char’s unique range.

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