The Flowers of Evil

✍ Scribed by Baudelaire, Charles

• Book ID: 110484817
• Publisher: Oxford University Press
• Year: 2008
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 446 KB
• Category: Fiction
• ISBN: 0192835459
• ASIN: B005LNKISU

✦ Synopsis

The Flowers of Evil, which T.S. Eliot called the greatest example of modern poetry in any language, shocked the literary world of nineteenth century France with its outspoken portrayal of lesbian love, its linking of sexuality and death, its unremitting irony, and its unflinching celebration of the seamy side of urban life. Including the French texts and comprehensive explanatory notes to the poems, this extraordinary body of love poems restores the six poems originally banned in 1857, revealing the richness and variety of the collection.

About the Series: For over 100 years Oxford World's Classics has made available the broadest spectrum of literature from around the globe. Each affordable volume reflects Oxford's commitment to scholarship, providing the most accurate text plus a wealth of other valuable features, including expert introductions by leading authorities, voluminous notes to clarify the text, up-to-date bibliographies for further study, and much more.

Review

'Jonathan Culler's 24 page introduction is thoughtful and informative; and the editorial apparatus of bibliography, chronology and notes on the text are up to the high standard of the series.' Acumen Magazine

'McGowan's fine poetic sense uses the springing monosyllable to good effect; A reader who goes straight to James McGowan's versions will be well rewarded. A scrupulous and sensitive poet has made the whole of Baudelaire's poetry in verse available in English so that the unique quality of the original consistently survives.' Harry Guest, Journal of European Studies, XXIV (1994)

'Culler's insistence on Baudelaire's depressing conclusions is welcome at a time when these poems are frequently subjected to evangelical optimism. McGowan urges us to consult other translations. His own generally reliable versions - given his satanic pact with symmetry - are probably now the best place to start.' Graham Robb, French Studies, Vol. 48, Pt.4

About the Author

James N McGowan, Professor of English, Illinois Wesleyan University, Illinois. Jonathan Culler, Professor of English and Comparative Literature, Cornell University.