Familiarity with Duras's films, novels, plays, and screenplays is essential for a full appreciation of this set of interviews (originally published in a special issue of Cahiers du Cinema ) reflecting Duras's views on her own work and that of many film directors. Born in Vietnam in 1914, she made her literary debut in Paris with her novel Les Impudents (1943). Best known as an experimental writer and filmmaker, she has written and produced works characterized as "radical poetics" where metadiscourse and hypertextuality predominate ( Moderato Cantabile, Hiro shima mon Amour, Le Ravissement de Lol V. Stein ). This translation captures the informal, "fireside chat" style of the original, and the reader will find a wealth of information regarding Duras's personal views on politics, the media, and literary and film production. An abundance of photos and film stills is a valuable addition. LIBRARY JOURNAL
