French Decadent Tales
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Author Description
'He had become the dandy of the unpredictable.' A quest for new sensations, and an avowed desire to shock possessed the Decadent writers of fin-de-siècle Paris. The years 1880-1900 saw an extraordinary, hothouse flowering of talent, that produced some of the most exotic, stylized, and cerebral literature in the French language. While 'decadence' was a European movement, its epicentre was the French capital. On the eve of Freud's early discoveries, writers such as Gourmont, Lorrain, Maupassant, Mirbeau, Richepin, Schwob, and Villiers engaged in a species of wild analysis of their own, perfecting the art of short fiction as they did so. Death and eros haunt these pages, and a polymorphous perversity by turns hilarious and horrifying. Their stories teem with addicts, maniacs, and murderers as they strive to outdo each other. This newly translated selection brings together the very best writing of the period, from lesser known figures as well as famous names. Provocative and unsettling, these extraordinary, corrosive little tales continue to cast a cold eye on the modern world. About the series: For over 100 years Oxford World's Classics has made available the widest range of literature from around the globe. Each affordable volume reflects Oxford's commitment to scholarship, providing the most accurate text plus a wealth of other valuable features, including expert introductions by leading authorities, helpful notes to clarify the text, up-to-date bibliographies for further study, and much more.
Menrva's Summary
THE PULSE
A collection of short stories captures the obsession with aestheticism, psychological decay, and the pursuit of extreme sensations in late 19th-century Paris. These narratives follow various protagonists—often dandyish, alienated, or morally ambiguous figures—as they navigate a world defined by artifice and internal collapse. The stories utilize a variety of perspectives to explore the boundaries of human behavior, morality, and the grotesque. The narrative framework shifts between clinical observation and surrealist indulgence, reflecting the intellectual climate of the era.
INSIDE THE PAGES
- Focus on the aesthetic movement of the late 19th century
- Exploration of psychological obsession and moral decay
- Stylized, ornate prose characteristic of the Decadent movement
- Themes of death, eros, and social transgression
- Character studies of addicts, maniacs, and social outcasts
- Examination of the intersection between art and pathology
- Use of irony and dark humor to critique bourgeois values
- Translation of seminal works from authors like Gourmont, Lorrain, and Maupassant
THE COLLECTIVE ECHO
Readers and critics frequently highlight the collection's ability to capture the specific, claustrophobic atmosphere of fin-de-siècle Paris. Discussion often centers on the stylistic density of the prose, which mirrors the decadent preoccupation with artifice and sensory experience. Many reviewers note that the stories serve as a bridge between traditional narrative structures and the emerging psychological explorations of the early 20th century. The balance between the grotesque subject matter and the refined, intellectual tone of the writing is a common point of analysis for those interested in historical literary movements. Readers often find the collection effective for its ability to maintain a consistent, unsettling mood across diverse authors.
Page Count:
288
Publication Date:
2013-01-01
Publisher:
Oup Oxford
ISBN-10:
0191645818
ISBN-13:
9780191645815
Classic Literature
French literature
Fin de Siècle
Anthology
Short Stories
