On being a "classic"

What lies within the word ‘classic’ ? Perhaps a novel that defies time and refuses to be laid to rest as just another papered verbiage.

"A Classic" ?

The greatest works of literature are anything but classic.

Years and even centuries do not seem to exhaust their relevance. 

"Brothers, men who live after us" (François Villon) constantly you bring us to light…

A double 'manifesto' from the two biggest movements in French poetry:
Baudelaire nicknamed "L'Albatros" against Hugo's "Ultima verba". 

Investigation. Hugo vs. Baudelaire "There can only be two"

...but becoming ‘of one the greats’ can also be a burden and veiled critics often disguise themselves as high praise. This was Baudelaire's intention when he acclaimed Victor Hugo only to replace him with a new leader of French poetry, Théophile Gautier. Baudelaire used an unprecedented strategy: to be adored by the master who is soon to be dethroned. 

Discover how the ‘cursed poet’ Baudelaire received Hugo’s blessing and offered him a copy of the only work signed by two of the greatest poets of the 19th century... 

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This Week's Theme

« La Petite Robe Noire »

Le Feu Follet highlights masterful works at the very origin of our way of thinking and our culture, never ceasing to amaze and suprise us today.  

Find here these chefs-d’œuvres exactly as they were first published, before they reached universal notoriety: 

– Limited editions on deluxe paper, carefully preserved at the time of their publication by a few collectors who foresaw the author’s genius.  

– Presentation copies gifted to relatives, fellow writers or literary critics.

– First editions in their very first printing, soon subjected to the reader’s opinion : "Hypocritish reader, — my fellow, — my brother!" said Baudelaire. 

Selection

« La Petite Robe Noire »

This week’s newest acquisitions

'Jacques a dit', Meryl Streep makes an appearance, Irène tries to save David but Cynthia is stranded, and Gabriel sends Jean-Pierre to Macondo  

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Jacques PRÉVERT

Paroles

La Pléiade  | Paris 1972

New edition. 
Inscribed, signed and dated by Jacques Prévert to painter Gérard Fromanger and his wife Florence.

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William STYRON

Sophie's Choice 

Jonathan Cape  | London 1979

First English edition. 
Inscribed copy, signed and dated by Meryl Streep, who played Sophie in the movie adaptation directed by Alan J. Pakula and won the Oscar for best actress in 1983: "For Keith, thanks for an interesting afternoon, 16/10/1981, London"

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Irène NEMIROVSKY

David Golder

Grasset  | Paris 1929

First edition, one of the 31 numbered copies on vélin d'Arches et reimposed on 4° tellière format . Deluxe copy after 6 copies on Japan paper and 15 on Montval.

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Jules VERNE & André LAURIE

& George ROUX

L'Épave du Cynthia

Jules Hetzel & C^ie  | Paris 1885

First edition illustrated by George Roux.
Publisher's binding "à la fougère bicolore", all edges gilt. 

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Gabriel GARCIA MARQUEZ

Cent ans de solitude

[One Hundred Years of Solitude] 

Seuil  |  Paris 1968

First French edition. 
Rare inscription by García Márquez to his close friend Jean-Pierre Richard, thanks to whom the origins of Macondo were partially revealed.

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