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| Author | Christian Bök |
|---|---|
| Language | English |
| Subject | Univocalicpoetry |
| Publisher | Coach House Books |
Publication date | 2001 |
| Publication place | Canada |
| Media type | Hardback |
| Pages | 112 |
| ISBN | 1-55245-092-9 |
Eunoia (2001) is an anthology ofunivocalics by Canadian poetChristian Bök. Each chapter is written using words limited to consonants and a singlevowel, producing sentences like: "Hassan can, at a handclap, call a vassal at hand and ask that all staff plan a bacchanal".[1] The author believes "his book proves that each vowel has its own personality, and demonstrates the flexibility of the English language."[1] The work was inspired by theOulipo group, which seeks to create works usingconstrained writing techniques.[2]
The book was published in Canada in 2001 byCoach House Books, sold 20,000 copies, and won the 2002CanadianGriffin Poetry Prize.[3]Canongate Books published a British edition in 2008.[4] The book sold well in the United Kingdom, makingThe Times list of the year's top 10 books and becoming the top-selling book of poetry in Britain.[3]
The titleeunoia, which literally meansgood thinking, is a medical term for the state of normalmental health, and is also the shortest word in the English language which contains all five vowels. The cover features a chromatic representation ofArthur Rimbaud's sonnet "Voyelles" (Vowels) in which each vowel is assigned a particular colour and consonants appear grey.
The "E" chapter was set to music byKate Soper in her chamber pieceHelen Enfettered.[5]
The main section of the book consists of five chapters: "A", "E", "I", "O" and "U". In each of these chapters, the only vowel used is the same one as the title. For example, in Chapter A, the only vowel used is "A". There are other rules given to each of the chapters.
The chapters are dedicated toHans Arp,René Crevel,Dick Higgins,Yoko Ono, andZhu Yu, respectively. The postscript of the book implies that Chapter E is a retelling of theIliad.
"Oiseau", meaning "bird", is the shortest word in theFrench language to use all five vowels. This section contains the following chapters.