Overview

This book traces the history of French literature from its beginnings to the present. Within its remarkably brief compass, it offers a wide-ranging, personal, and detailed account of major writers and movements. Developments in French literature are presented in an innovative way, not as an even sequence of literary events but as a series of stories told at varying pace and with different kinds of focus. Readers can thus take in the broad sweep of historical change, grasp the main characteristics of major periods, or enjoy a close appraisal of individual works and their contexts. The book is written in an accessible and non-technical style that will make it attractive to students and to all those who enjoy French Literature.

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9780199291182

Table of Contents

Reviews

<br> One of the many attractions in this volume is that it actively retrieves what Kay calls the casualties of literary history. --Times Literary Supplement<br> Thoughtfully organized, this version of the story of French literature is masterfully told.... It is the telling of the story against the rich backdrop of historical and social contexts that makes this overview so important. That all the information in this book can coexist in a format that is such an enjoyable read is truly remarkable.... Essential. --Choice<br>

One of the many attractions in this volume is that it actively retrieves what Kay calls the casualties of literary history. --Times Literary Supplement Thoughtfully organized, this version of the story of French literature is masterfully told.... It is the telling of the story against the rich backdrop of historical and social contexts that makes this overview so important. That all the information in this book can coexist in a format that is such an enjoyable read is truly remarkable.... Essential. --Choice

<br> One of the many attractions in this volume is that it actively retrieves what Kay calls the casualties of literary history. --Times Literary Supplement<p><br> Thoughtfully organized, this version of the story of French literature is masterfully told.... It is the telling of the story against the rich backdrop of historical and social contexts that makes this overview so important. That all the information in this book can coexist in a format that is such an enjoyable read is truly remarkable.... Essential. --Choice<p><br>

Review from previous edition thoughtfully organized ... masterfully told ... essential Choice That all the information in this book can coexist in a format that is such an enjoyable read is truly remarkable Choice Three of the most eminent anglophone writers on French literature have combined their talents to map its history. Academic readers will expect to have familiar territory redrawn in an exciting way and rich treasures to be discovered in stranger places. They will not be disappointed. French Studies A confident three-hander, it stands up for permanence, the craft of writing, and the pleasures of reading Modern Language Review this book inherits an academic tradition of brevity, intelligence and elegance El Pais

One of the many attractions in this volume is that it actively retrieves what Kay calls the casualties of literary history. --Times Literary Supplement<br> Thoughtfully organized, this version of the story of French literature is masterfully told.... It is the telling of the story against the rich backdrop of historical and social contexts that makes this overview so important. That all the information in this book can coexist in a format that is such an enjoyable read is truly remarkable.... Essential. --Choice<br>

Author Information

Sarah Kay is Professor of French and Occitan Literature, University of Cambridge Terence Cave is Emeritus Professor of French Literature, University of Oxford, and Emeritus Research Fellow, St John's College, Oxford Malcolm Bowie, formerly Marshal Foch Professor of French Literature, University of Oxford, is now Master of Christ's College, Cambridge

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