This is one of my favorite pieces of writing, an almost-unbelievable instance of enabling limits I’ve discussed before: Christian Bök’s Eunoia, which you can see in its entirety here.
“Eunoia” is the shortest word in English containing all five vowels, and means “well mind” or “beautiful thinking”; it is also a medical term for normal mental health, and is, accordingly, infrequently used.
The work of that title is an exercise in extreme constrained writing (univocalics, specifically): Bök uses only one vowel per chapter, and each chapter must contain a specified set of scenes: an orgy, something at sea, a meal, etc.
It must be read to be believed; I think it’s very beautiful and have posted about it on occasion; Jack July, it should be said, is less of a fan of Bök’s. Above: the paragraphs from “I.” I hope you enjoy it.
