nouveau roman
C2Formal / Academic
Definition
Meaning
A French literary movement of the mid-20th century that rejected traditional narrative techniques, focusing instead on objective description, fragmentation, and the elimination of authorial voice.
Any experimental, anti-traditional narrative style that emphasizes structure, form, and the materiality of language over plot, character, and psychological depth. Often used metaphorically to describe any deliberately unconventional or deconstructive approach.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Proper noun when referring specifically to the French literary movement (often capitalized: Nouveau Roman); treated as a common noun in metaphorical or generic use. Always italicized in writing.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. The term is used identically in literary and academic contexts in both varieties.
Connotations
Highbrow, intellectual, avant-garde, sometimes perceived as challenging or inaccessible.
Frequency
Very low frequency in general discourse; appears almost exclusively in literary criticism, academic writing, and intellectual discussions.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
The [AUTHOR] wrote in the style of the nouveau roman.This novel is a clear example of the nouveau roman.The influence of the nouveau roman is evident in [WORK].Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[Not applicable for this term]”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
[Rare to non-existent]
Academic
Common in literary studies, critical theory, and comparative literature courses. Used to analyze narrative technique.
Everyday
Extremely rare. Would only appear in conversations about advanced literature.
Technical
A precise term in literary criticism denoting a specific historical movement and its techniques.
Examples
By Part of Speech
adjective
British English
- The writer's nouveau roman approach baffled conventional critics.
American English
- Her style was distinctly nouveau roman in its refusal to develop characters.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- [Too complex for A2]
- We studied a famous French book in class. The teacher said it was a 'nouveau roman' and was very different from old stories.
- Alain Robbe-Grillet was a leading figure in the nouveau roman movement, which sought to revolutionise the form of the novel itself.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a NEW (nouveau) ROMAN (novel) being built like a modern art sculpture – all strange angles and fragments instead of a straightforward story.
Conceptual Metaphor
WRITING IS ARCHITECTURE (focus on constructed form over storytelling). A NOVEL IS A PUZZLE (requiring active assembly by the reader).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid translating as 'новый роман' in the sense of 'a new book'. It is a fixed term for the literary movement.
- The term can be left untranslated and italicized, or translated as 'новый роман' only when referring specifically to the movement, often with an explanation.
Common Mistakes
- Using it as a general adjective for 'new' (e.g., 'He bought a nouveau roman car').
- Failing to italicize it in written text.
- Confusing it with other avant-garde movements like Surrealism or Dada.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the term 'nouveau roman' most appropriately used?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
When referring specifically to the historical French movement, it is often capitalised (Nouveau Roman). In more general adjectival use, lowercase is common.
No. It is a fixed literary term. Using it to mean simply 'new' is incorrect and will confuse listeners familiar with its true meaning.
Key figures include Alain Robbe-Grillet, Nathalie Sarraute, Michel Butor, and Claude Simon.
Yes. Its emphasis on narrative self-consciousness, form, and the reader's role has profoundly influenced postmodern and contemporary metafiction.