The Award - Hardcover

Text: English (translation)
Original Language: French

Breaking away from the format of traditional novel as Kafka did and addressing the often "Big Brother" atmosphere of the corporate world as bluntly as Orwell's 1984, new French novelist Salvayre intertwines corporate philosophy with workers' lives in a continuous dialog of testimonies given during an automobile factory's awards celebration. Each award and recipient is introduced by a manager who often takes advantage of the podium to promote the company's philosophies. In turn, each recipient uses the stage to return a lengthy response, often baring their souls and personal lives and alternately expressing flaunting appreciation or hidden anger toward the company. All the while, the audience is increasingly aware of a labor upheaval developing behind the scenes and threatening to interrupt the ceremony's carefully prepared script. How the company deals with the revolt is also played out on the stage for both audience and readers. Although it would be helped by some cohesive structure, this interesting, experimental novel may appeal to sophisticated young adult and adult readers.?Laurel Duda, Marine Biological Lab., Pocasset, Mass.
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.