< this is literature for chrissake >

[abu nuwas]

I think Barthes needs some elucidation, as many misunderstand his intent. By a wonderful chance, I was present at a soirée at the Institut Francais here in London, when surrounded by le tout Londres, and many beautiful women, the great man said, slightly spilling his absinthe, 'Mate-moi les nénés de cette nana!' and then added, ''Zeess reederr, I am, 'ow you say, geeving 'er one'' This was misconstrued. In fact, he wrote page after page explaining exactly what he meant, and how people misunderstood.

That is how it was. [/i]