Twentieth-Century French Poetry: A Critical Anthology

Description

Modern French poetry is unique in the boldness and creativity of its experiments in form and genre, from classical verse to vers libre, from calligrammes to prose poems and poesie sonore. This anthology includes 32 poems by French and francophone poets, each followed by an accessibly written, detailed commentary. The different approaches adopted in the close readings by specialists in their field reflect the major trends in current literary criticism and theory. A foreword by one of France's foremost poets, Yves Bonnefoy, a general introduction, and an afterword provide a helpful theoretical framework for the study of modern poetry. An extensive bibliography, concise biographies of the poets, and a glossary of literary terms are included. Students of French and of comparative literature will gain a deeper understanding of the development of French verse and of the artistic movements (especially in the visual arts) which have shaped twentieth-century French poetry.

Hugues Azerad is Fellow in French at Magdalene College, Cambridge. Peter Collier is Emeritus Fellow in French at Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge.

'If the poet, in the words of Edouard Glissant, is a 'visionnaire du concret', this volume of close readings explores poetry as utterance situated between dream and reality without ascribing a mission to the poet or attempting to unearth hidden subtexts. These marvellously read poems follow the major currents of twentieth century French and Francophone literature and go a long way to fulfilling the editors' desires to forge a new alliance between readers and poets.' J. Michael Dash, New York University 'This anthology will be a godsend to teachers and students and, indeed, to all lovers of modern French poetry. The editors' choice of poets and poems ranges from the powerfully canonical to the challengingly contemporary, and each of the commentators brings to their analysis a combination of deep and affectionate knowledge and illuminating new insights.' Michael Worton, UCL '... both thought-provoking and informative ... Sound bibliographical details at the end of each piece, and in conclusion, also make the anthology a useful and up-to-date source for more experienced explorers of the subject.' French Studies: A Quarterly Review '... I would strongly recommend this book not only as an ideal reader for all courses on modern French poetry, but also as a marvellous addition for other kinds of courses in modern French and/or comparative literature ...' Journal of European Studies