Summary
The Erasers by Alain Robbe-Grillet presents a labyrinthine tale, weaving a narrative around Wallas, a detective plunged into a complex investigation. Tasked to untangle a web of political assassinations, Wallas finds himself in a city riddled with intrigue, secrets, and danger. As he navigates his mission, Wallas's quest for a particular eraser becomes a symbol of his deeper pursuit of clarity and truth.
Unveiling the Plot
Wallas embarks on his first independent assignment, dispatched by a governmental agency to a northern city. His mission is to uncover the truth behind the latest attempt on Daniel Dupont’s life, a key figure in a series of political assassinations. Although Dupont narrowly escapes death, his friend, Dr. Juard, conceals his survival to protect him from subsequent attacks.
The Elusive Eraser
In parallel with his investigation, Wallas is fixated on finding a particular type of eraser he once encountered, a task that lends the novel its title. This seemingly trivial pursuit unfolds alongside his detective work, symbolizing the challenge of erasing uncertainty and uncovering the truth. The novel begins with Wallas’s unseen presence, having arrived late the previous night and taking shelter in a local cafe-hotel.
Stream of Consciousness
The cafe owner, preparing for the day, becomes the vessel through which the story’s intricate narrative is revealed. His mind flits through conversations and memories, both recent and distant, offering readers a mosaic of fragmented thoughts. This non-linear storytelling echoes Marcel Proust’s influence, a hallmark of the New Novel, where chronology is eschewed in favor of a more fluid, introspective style.
Mystery and Deception
Within the cafe owner's recollections lies the truth: Dupont is alive. His housekeeper had contacted the police to report Dupont's minor injury, invoking a classic detective novel element—red herrings. Robbe-Grillet subtly warns readers of misleading clues, as the cafe owner recalls newspaper reports of Dupont's "death," underscoring the media's propensity to fabricate narratives.
The Assassination Attempt
Amidst these reflections, the narrative introduces Garinati, the would-be assassin, and his superior, Bona, who orchestrates the attack on Dupont. Through Garinati’s perspective, readers are led through Dupont’s residence, witnessing the failed assassination. These scenes unfold in a series of disjointed flashbacks, placing readers at various points in time without context or clarification.
Into the Labyrinth
Wallas, now awake, ventures into the unfamiliar city, its streets a tangled maze as he searches for the central police station. Preferring not to reveal his true intentions, he misleads those he encounters, claiming to be looking for the post office. His strategy backfires, leading to a series of convolutions that only add to his confusion.
Confronting Authority
Eventually, Wallas meets with Commissioner Laurent, a man visibly perturbed by Wallas’s assignment. Despite his irritation, Laurent masks his feelings, grappling with the absence of a body that complicates the investigation. The commissioner ponders over Dupont’s fate, questioning whether it was murder, suicide, or accident.
Encounters and Revelations
In his quest for answers, Wallas visits Dupont’s home, interviewing the housekeeper and inspecting the study where the shooting occurred. On his way, he stumbles upon Evelyne Dupont’s stationery shop, inadvertently discovering her connection to Dupont. A photograph of the house confirms her identity as Dupont’s ex-wife, prompting Wallas to question her about Dupont’s possible suicide, to which she vehemently denies.
Pieces of the Puzzle
While Wallas continues his investigation, Laurent persists in his inquiries, analyzing all possibilities and interviewing witnesses. The detective revisits Dupont’s study, seeking crucial evidence. Meanwhile, Dupont himself returns in search of essential documents for his escape. At the same time, Laurent dismisses a colleague's outlandish theory about Dupont’s secret son, realizing Dupont’s survival is the real reason for the missing body.
The Tragic Conclusion
As Laurent finally deduces Dupont is alive, he rushes to inform Wallas. Yet, his revelation comes too late. In a tragic twist, Wallas, unaware of the truth, inadvertently kills Dupont, unraveling the very mystery he sought to solve. This poignant conclusion underscores the novel’s exploration of fate, misunderstanding, and the often insurmountable challenge of discerning truth amidst chaos.
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