Selected Fables - Couverture rigide

La Fontaine, Jean De

Couverture rigide

ISBN 10 : 0199650721 ISBN 13 : 9780199650729

Editeur : Oxford University Press, 2014

Synopsis

La Fontaine's verse fables turned the traditional folktales derived from Aesop and a range of Oriental sources into some of the greatest, and best-loved, poetic work in French. His versions of stories such as 'The Hare and the Tortoise' and 'The Wolf and the Lamb' are witty and sophisticated, satirizing human nature in miniature dramas in which the outcome is always unpredictable. The behaviour of both animals and humans is usually centred on deception and cooperation (or the lack of it), as they cheat and fight each other, arguing about life and death, property and food, in an astonishing variety of narrative styles. The fables have long been popular with all ages, though their ironic take on contemporary society in French aristocratic circles is best appreciated by adults.

This new translation by Christopher Betts matches the original in inventiveness and subtlety. It includes half of the fables first published in twelve books between 1668 and 1693, across the full range of subjects and themes. The fables are illustrated with a selection of Gustave Doré's majestic engravings, and an introduction offers insights into La Fontaine's life and literary artistry.

A propos du livre

À propos de l'auteur

La Fontaine (1621-95) followed a career as a poet after early training for the law and the Church. He came under the wing of Louis XIV's Finance Minister, Nicolas Fouquet, and later enjoyed the patronage of the Duchess of Orléans and Mme de La Sablière. His Fables were widely admired, and he was already regarded in his lifetime as one of the greatest poets of his age.

Détails de l'édition

• Éditeur: Oxford University Press
• Date d'édition: 2014
• Langue: anglais
• ISBN 10: 0199650721
• ISBN 13: 9780199650729
• Reliure: Relié
• Nombre de pages: 272
• Coordonnées du fabricant: non disponible
• Personne responsable: Ufficio Anagrafiche Messaggerie; ufficio.anagrafiche@meli.it; ; Via Verdi, 8; Assago Milano; 20090; Italie