In a series of essays published in 1963 Robbe-Grillet developed the theory of the "new novel" which sought to overturn conventional ideas on fiction-writing...His theory was that traditional notions such as plot and character should be subordinated to impersonal descriptions of physical things...His first published book -- "Les Gommes" [The Erasers] -- established him as a leader of a new generation of writers that also included Samuel Beckett, Claude Simon and Natalie Serrault... Robbe-Grillet said the term 'new novel' was aimed at "all those seeking new forms for the novel ... and all those who have determined to invent the novel, in other words to invent man."