[An alternate cover edition for this ISBN can be found here] Ariane e Solal, lei nobile di nascita, lui altissimo dirigente della Società delle Nazioni, entrambi alteri ma irrequieti, si incontrano, si amano e fuggono via alla ricerca di una passione assoluta ed esteticamente perfetta. La perfezione formale, però, non esiste, l'amore a poco a poco si illanguidisce e viene sostituito dalla noia, fino alle estreme conseguenze. Un romanzo libero, svincolato dai dettami delle scuole e delle mode, capace di regalare l'emozione esaltante della lettura.
Jacques the Fatalist is a provocative exploration of the problems of human existence, destiny, and free will. In the introduction to this brilliant translation, David Coward explains the philosophical basis of Diderot's fascination with fate and examines the experimental and influential literary techniques that make Jacques the Fatalist a classic of the Enlightenment.
This ambitious volume is more than a history of French literature; it explores the profound impact of post-modern thought on our understanding of 'literature' itself. David Coward presents the rich diversity of French literature, enhanced by new Francophone contributions from Europe, Canada, the West Indies, and Africa. His narrative situates literary development within broader cultural contexts, linking it to the social conditions and mentalities that shaped it.
Coward transcends traditional notions of 'literature' by delving into best-sellers, graphic fiction, and cinema. He traces the evolution of the intellectual from the Dreyfus Affair through the divisions of the 1930s, from Existentialists to Post-Structuralists, mapping a journey from literary doctrine to critical theory.
Covering a wide range of topics—from medieval feminism to contemporary issues, and from 15th-century modernism to Proust—Coward serves as an engaging guide. He clearly outlines themes and genres, enabling readers to follow the evolution of theatre, poetry, and fiction, as well as broader issues like censorship and writers' rewards. The text is further enhanced by a comprehensive and user-friendly index, making it accessible for readers seeking to navigate this expansive literary landscape.
