A Short History of French Literature / Edition 1

by Sarah Kay, Terence Cave, Malcolm Bowie

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—though selective—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 both to students of French and to non-specialist readers.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780199291182
Publisher:	Oxford University Press
Publication date:	02/16/2006
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	358
Product dimensions:	8.50(w) x 6.22(h) x 0.76(d)

About the Author

Cambridge University

Oxford University (Emeritus)

Christ's College, Cambridge

Table of Contents

PrefaceIntroductionPart I: The Middle Ages: From the Earliest Texts to 1470OverviewMain NarrativePart II: The Early Modern Period: 1470-1789OverviewMain NarrativePart III: The Modern Period: 1789-2000OverviewMain NarrativeAppendices

Editorial Reviews

"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

From the Publisher