Ebook: French literature: a beginner's guide

Boasting one of Western culture's oldest and richest literary traditions, French literature has long been a pioneer of style and innovation. From the farcical comedies of Molière to the torment of Baudelaire's verse, it has inspired writers and artists everywhere throughout the ages. This comprehensive Beginner's Guide tells French Literature's compelling story from the beginning right up to today. Highlighting its distinct qualities, Carol Clark explores how the literary styles of different periods took shape and shows what we can gain from reading classic and modern French works. With trans.;Cover; Title page; Copyright page; Contents; List of illustrations; Acknowledgements; Introduction; 1 The Middle Ages: literature before literacy; 2 The sixteenth century: from Rabelais to Montaigne; 3 The seventeenth century: dramatists and moralists; 4 The eighteenth century: the Republic of Letters; 5 The nineteenth century I (1800-52): Realists and Romantics; 6 The nineteenth century II: literature for literature's sake; 7 The twentieth century: the age of transgression; Conclusion: the twenty-first century: literature after paper?; Making a start: suggestions for further reading; Index.