The Nouveau Roman

The Nouveau Roman, or "New Novel," was a French literary movement in the 1950s and 1960s that challenged traditional storytelling. Instead of straightforward plots and developed characters, authors focused on experimenting with structure, perspective, and language. They aimed to depict reality more ambiguously and focus on subjective experiences, often highlighting the inner thoughts of characters and the fragmentary nature of perception. This approach shifted away from conventional narrative techniques, encouraging readers to engage more actively with the text and interpret meaning beyond straightforward storylines. Prominent writers include Alain Robbe-Grillet and Nathalie Sarraute.