The Death of French Culture - Couverture souple

Morrison, Donald; Compagnon, Antoine

Couverture souple

ISBN 10 : 0745649947 ISBN 13 : 9780745649948

Editeur : Polity Press, 2010

Synopsis

The Death of French Culture

A propos du livre

Quatrième de couverture :

"This book offers yet another delicious glimpse into a relationshipthat never ceases to fascinate, that between the US and France. Ithas taken an American to crystallize what France doesn′t want toadmit: that French culture is no longer an international force tobe reckoned with. What is most compelling about it is the accuracyof Morrison′s argument, combined with his deep affection forFrance. There is no rejoicing in his writing. Morrison′s is a truelament. In his appraisal of France′s growing incapacity to maintainits universal cultural pull, Morrison entreats us to think aboutthe meaning of culture and universalism in the twenty–firstcentury."
Prospect Magazine

For centuries, France and its culture have been one and thesame. The greatness of the former reinforced the influence of thelatter, and vice versa. French writers, artists and philosopherswere at the center of the world′s attention and enjoyedunparalleled prestige. Of this past glory, all that is left todayis navel–gazing, nostalgia, and timidity.

This was the disabused verdict reached by Donald Morrison, anAmerican in Paris, at the conclusion of his inquiry into the placeof French culture in the world. The creativity of its artists maybe undeniable, but the influence (ghostlike) and the importance(derisory) of France in international cultural exchanges indicatethat French culture no longer speaks to the world. This declineultimately suits the French national mentality, inclined as it isto lamentation and regret.

When Morrison originally published this piercing verdict oncontemporary French culture in Time magazine in November 2007, itcaused a sensation. Morrison was pilloried by the French press andattacked in countless newspapers, magazines and blogs. Morrison′sarticle gave rise to an extended interrogation of French cultureand cultural policy by admirers and critics alike.

Undeterred by the controversy, Morrison has returned to hisoriginal article to see how well his central arguments hold up inthe light of the criticisms leveled at him. This new, updated andgreatly expanded version of his controversial text is accompaniedby a thoughtful reply by Antoine Compagnon, the respected Frenchliterary historian. Compagnon highlights a certain ambivalencewithin French culture, still capable of achieving the best butseemingly paralysed by a preoccupation with its own grandeur. Thisimportant exchange between Morrison and Compagnon will be of greatinterest to anyone concerned with French culture and its legacy inthe world today.

Donald Morrison is former Editor of Time magazine′s European andAsian editions
Antoine Compagnon is Professor of French Literature at theCollège de France and Blanche W. Knopf Professor of French andComparative Literature at Colombia University.

Présentation de l'éditeur :

For a long time, France and its culture have been one and the same.The greatness of the former added to the influence of the latter,and vice versa. French writers, artists and philosophers were atthe centre of the world s attention and enjoyed unparalleledprestige. Of this past glory, all that is left today isnavel–gazing, nostalgia, and timidity. This was the disabusedverdict reached by Donald Morrison, an American in Paris, at theconclusion his inquiry into the place of French culture in theworld. The creativity of its artists may be undeniable, but theinfluence (ghostlike) and the importance (derisory) of France incultural exchanges both go to show that French culture no longerspeaks to the world. This decline ultimately suits the Frenchnational mentality, inclined as it is to lamentation andsorrow.

When Morrison originally published this piercing verdict oncontemporary French culture in Time magazine in November 2007, itcaused a sensation. Morrison was pilloried by the French press andattacked in countless newspapers, magazines and blogs.Morrison s article gave rise to an extended interrogation ofFrench culture by admirers and critics alike.

Undeterred by the controversy, Morrison has returned to hisoriginal article to see how well his central arguments hold up inthe light of the criticisms levelled at him. This new and updatedversion of his controversial text is accompanied by a thoughtfulreply by Antoine Compagnon, who highlights a certain ambivalencewithin French culture, still capable of achieving the best butseemingly paralysed by its preoccupation with its own grandeur.This important exchange between Morrison and Compagnon will be ofgreat interest to anyone concerned with French culture and itslegacy in the world today.

À propos de cette édition

• Éditeur: Polity Press
• Date d'édition: 2010
• ISBN 10: 0745649947
• ISBN 13: 9780745649948
• Reliure: Broché
• Nombre de pages: 200