Title
The Idea Of Perfection: The Poetry And Prose Of Paul Valry; A Bilingual Edition
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A Fresh Look Into The Monumental Work Of Paul Valry, One Of The Major French Literary Figures Of The Twentieth Century.Heir To Mallarm And The Symbolists, Godfather To The Modernists, Paul Valry Was A Poet With Thousands Of Readers And Few Followers, Great Resonance And Little Echo. Along With Rilke And Eliot, He Stands As A Bridge Between The Tradition Of The Nineteenth Century And The Novelty Of The Twentieth. His Reputation As A Poet Rests On Three Slim Volumes Published In A Span Of Only Ten Years. Yet These Poems, It Turns Out, Are Inseparable From Another, Much Vaster Intellectual And Artistic Enterprise: The Notebooks.Behind The Published Works, Behind The Uneventful Life Of The Almost Forgotten And Then Exceedingly Famous Poet, There Hides Another Story, A Private Life Of The Mind, That Has Its Record In 28,000 Pages Of Notes Revealed In Their Entirety Only After His Death. Their Existence Had Been Hinted At, Evoked In Rumors And Literary Asides; But Once Made Public It Took Years For Their Significance To Be Fully Appreciated. It Turned Out That The Prose Fragments Published In Valrys Lifetime Were Not The Afterthefact Musings Of An Accomplished Poet, Nor His Occasional Sketchbook, Nor Excerpts From His Private Journal. They Were A Disfigured Glimpse Of A Vast And Fragmentary Exercise Of Thought, A Restless Intellectual Quest As Unguided And Yet As Persistent, As Rigorous, And As Uncontainable As The Sea That Is So Often Their Subject.The Idea Of Perfection Shows Both Sides Of Valry: The Craftsman Of Sublimely Refined Verse, And The Fervent Investigator Of The Limits Of Human Intellect And Expression. It Intersperses His Three Essential Poetic Worksalbum Of Early Verse, The Young Fate, And Charmswith Incisive Selections From The Notebooks And Finishes With The Prose Poem The Angel. Masterfully Translated By Nathaniel Rudavskybrody, With Careful Attention To Form And A Natural Yet Metrical Contemporary Poetic Voice, The Idea Of Perfection Breathes New Life Into Poems That Are Among The Most Beautiful In The French Language And The Most Influential Of The Twentieth Century.
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- Q: What is the page count of The Idea of Perfection? A: This book has four hundred pages. It offers an extensive exploration of Paul Valéry's poetry and prose.
- Q: What type of binding does The Idea of Perfection have? A: The book is available in paperback binding. This makes it lightweight and easy to handle.
- Q: What are the dimensions of The Idea of Perfection? A: The dimensions are six point one inches in length, one inch in width, and nine point zero two inches in height. This size makes it portable and easy to store.
- Q: Who is the author of The Idea of Perfection? A: The author is Paul Valéry. He is recognized as one of the major literary figures of the twentieth century.
- Q: What language is The Idea of Perfection written in? A: This book is published as a bilingual edition. It features both French text and its English translation.
- Q: How should I read The Idea of Perfection? A: You can read it at your own pace, enjoying the poetic and prose elements. It's suitable for both casual readers and literature enthusiasts.
- Q: Is The Idea of Perfection suitable for beginners in poetry? A: Yes, it is suitable for beginners. The translations and explanations make the complex themes more accessible.
- Q: What themes are explored in The Idea of Perfection? A: The book explores themes of intellect, human expression, and the limits of creativity. Valéry's works delve into deep philosophical questions.
- Q: Can I use The Idea of Perfection for academic study? A: Yes, it is an excellent resource for academic study. It includes critical selections from Valéry's notebooks alongside his poetry.
- Q: How do I care for The Idea of Perfection? A: Keep the book in a cool, dry place and avoid exposure to direct sunlight. This will help preserve its condition.
- Q: Is The Idea of Perfection safe for children? A: Yes, the book is generally safe for older children. However, it is recommended for readers who can appreciate complex poetry.
- Q: How should I store The Idea of Perfection? A: Store it upright on a shelf or in a bookcase. Ensure it is away from moisture to maintain its quality.
- Q: What if my copy of The Idea of Perfection arrives damaged? A: You can contact customer service for assistance with returns or exchanges. They will guide you through the process.
- Q: Does The Idea of Perfection come with a warranty? A: No, this book does not come with a warranty. However, you can return it if it arrives in unsatisfactory condition.
- Q: How do I find more books like The Idea of Perfection? A: You can look for other works by Paul Valéry or explore similar authors in French literature. Online book retailers often provide recommendations.