Raymond Queneau (1903-1976) was a French novelist, poet and playwright who co-founded the Oulipo group. A star among modern writers, he is nonetheless difficult to classify. His works veer from surrealism to "literature for a cause" to Nouveau Roman; without ever being identifiable as one or the other. His original style mixes mischievous fantasy and poetry. In 1933 he published his first novel, "Witch Grass" (Le Chiendent) but the success of "Zazie in the Metro" (Zazie dans le Métro) in 1959 marked his originality, mixing caricature, a new use of language and malicious satire.
