Madame Bildungsroman's Optimistic Worldview
In this collection of ‘fragments, pensées and table-talk’, Nora Chassler turns her attention to the great questions of contemporary life and literature, aided by a papier-mâché mannequin named Madame Bildungsroman. Together, they exclaim visions and visitations, proclamations and protestations, fierce one-liners and bittersweet memories; each offering a unique insight into the mind of one of our most original writers.
"Offers a brilliant perspective on existence through fragments and aperçus: ambiguous, acerbic, moving and searingly intelligent."
Regi Claire
"There are very few books you wish to reread immediately upon finishing, but this was one for me. I highly recommend her other books as well. In a hundred years it’s possible having known Nora will be the other thing I am remembered for."
Sean Ono Lennon (on Instagram)
In this collection of ‘fragments, pensées and table-talk’, Nora Chassler turns her attention to the great questions of contemporary life and literature, aided by a papier-mâché mannequin named Madame Bildungsroman. Together, they exclaim visions and visitations, proclamations and protestations, fierce one-liners and bittersweet memories; each offering a unique insight into the mind of one of our most original writers.
"Offers a brilliant perspective on existence through fragments and aperçus: ambiguous, acerbic, moving and searingly intelligent."
Regi Claire
"There are very few books you wish to reread immediately upon finishing, but this was one for me. I highly recommend her other books as well. In a hundred years it’s possible having known Nora will be the other thing I am remembered for."
Sean Ono Lennon (on Instagram)
In this collection of ‘fragments, pensées and table-talk’, Nora Chassler turns her attention to the great questions of contemporary life and literature, aided by a papier-mâché mannequin named Madame Bildungsroman. Together, they exclaim visions and visitations, proclamations and protestations, fierce one-liners and bittersweet memories; each offering a unique insight into the mind of one of our most original writers.
"Offers a brilliant perspective on existence through fragments and aperçus: ambiguous, acerbic, moving and searingly intelligent."
Regi Claire
"There are very few books you wish to reread immediately upon finishing, but this was one for me. I highly recommend her other books as well. In a hundred years it’s possible having known Nora will be the other thing I am remembered for."
Sean Ono Lennon (on Instagram)
About the Author
Nora Chassler was born in Madison, Wisconsin, in 1972, and grew up in New York City. She is the author of two novels, Miss Thing (Two Ravens Press, 2010) and Grandmother Divided by Monkey Equals Outer Space (Valley Press, 2015), both currently awaiting reissue. Three genre-bending publications have since followed, all with Valley Press – a collection of ‘fragments, pensées and table-talk’ titled Madame Bildungsroman’s Optimistic Worldview (2017), an epic poem, The Minnow Would Be Lost (2020), and the I Ching-inspired The Noracle (2025). She lives on the Scottish coast.
Vital Statistics
Imprint: Valley Press
Edition: First (July 2017)
Paperback ISBN: 9781908853820
Catalogue number: VP0099
Page count: 72
Trim size: 198x129mm
