Paris Tales, translated by Helen Constantine
Product Description (From Amazon)
Paris Tales is a highly evocative collection of stories by French and Francophone writers who have been inspired by specific locations in this most visited of capital cities. The twenty-two stories - by well-known writers including Nerval, Maupassant, Colette, and Echenoz - provide a captivating glimpse into Parisian life from the mid-nineteenth century to the present day. The stories take us on an atmospheric tour of the arrondissements and quartiers of Paris, charting the changing nature of the city and its inhabitants, and viewing it through the eyes of characters such as the provincial lawyer's wife seeking excitement, a runaway schoolboy sleeping rough, and a lottery-winning policeman. From the artists' haunts of Montmartre to the glamorous cafés of Saint-Germain, from the shouts of demonstrators on Boul Mich' to the tranquillity of Parc Monceau, Paris Tales offers a fascinating literary panorama of Paris. Illustrated with maps and striking photographs, the book will appeal to all those who wish to uncover the true heart of this seductive city.
About the Author (From Amazon)
Helen Constantine was Head of Languages for many years at a comprehensive school in Oxfordshire and now works as a full-time translator. She is married to the poet, David Constantine. In January 2004 they took over the editorship of Modern Poetry in Translation.
When I purchased this book, I was hoping to learn a bit about the writing styles of some very famous writers and also to find interesting descriptions of various parts of the city. The book met my expectations in both regards. I'm sure the stories were not the best of the authors, and I'm sure that I could find better descriptions of various parts of the city. I found some of the stories uninspired and even dull, while others were much more interesting. It is not a great book, but it was interesting.
No comments:
Post a Comment