Introduction to French Poetry (Dual-Language)

The poetry is beautiful and I love that the book includes an introduction to each poet. I don’t read very much in French so this dual language book is quite helpful. The book was delivered quickly and well worth the price!

Too old

This book is great if you're interested in learning how to translate poetry. I like that I can look at the English translations if I need to.

"introduction to French Poetry: A Dual-Language Book," edited by Stanley Applebaum, is a useful introduction to French verse. Thirty poets, active from the 15th to the 20th centuries, are covered, with each allotted a two-page biography and one or two poems. Meanwhile, a 13-page introduction provides broad perspective and a three-page tutorial on the metrical and structural nature of the verse. And, of course, the dual-language presentations are useful learning tools. All this said, this volume is uneven in assessing its chosen poets, with its ambitious goals frequently compromised by the limited space allotted per writer. To cite but one example, the assessment of Charles Baudelaire and his impact on the evolution of French poetry is far more successful than the material provided in this regard for Arthur Rimbaud. On balance, this anthology is best regarded as a good first step in mapping out with other books additional exploration of the riches of French poetry.

French poetry is too subtle for a non-French speaker, like me, to enjoy without help. But, dual language French/English books make it not only possible, but fun! Love it!

Wasn’t what I was expecting but that just could be because I’m knew to French poetry . I write poetry for a magazine so I love poetry itself but couldn’t get into this poetry book

This book is pretty darn erudite, and has a nice selection given the brevity of the volume. The artless, straightforward translations are totally useful.

great selection of french poets in a value full price range, includes major french poets from the twentieth and twenty first century.