Excerpt from Twenty-Nine Tales From the French All modern literatures contain numerous examples of that shorter form of prose fiction known in English as the Short Story, although none with the possible exception of the Russian has so fully developed it into a distinct species, admirably fitted to express a racial temperament as have the French. The English experiments in this form as late as Maria Edgeworth and George Eliot were merely clumsy abbreviations of the novel, novelettes rather than true short stories, with the elaborate analyses of character, extended descriptions, and ponderous plots of the larger form. And in spite of occasional brilliant exceptions among the younger generation of English fiction writers it may be fairly said that the English temperament has never taken easily to this genre. Their technical process is too often a foreshortening of more elaborate narrative rather than a distinct and focused creation. The English mind turns more naturally to accretion and analysis than to compression and rapid synthesis. About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.

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A New York Review Books Original During the eighteenth century, from the death of Louis XIV until the Revolution, French culture set the standard for all of Europe. In Sweden, Austria, Italy, Spain, England, Russia, and Germany, among kings and queens, diplomats, military leaders, writers, aristocrats, and artists, French was the universal language of politics and intellectual life. In When the World Spoke French, Marc Fumaroli presents a gallery of portraits of Europeans and Americans who conversed and corresponded in French, along with excerpts from their letters or other writings. These men and women, despite their differences, were all irresistibly attracted to the ideal of human happiness inspired by the Enlightenment, whose capital was Paris and whose king was Voltaire. Whether they were in Paris or far away, speaking French connected them in spirit with all those who desired to emulate Parisian tastes, style of life, and social pleasures. Their stories are testaments to the appeal of that famous “sweetness of life” nourished by France and its language.

DigiCat presents to you a unique collection of the greatest classics of French literature: A History of French Literature François Rabelais: Gargantua and Pantagruel Molière: Tartuffe or the Hypocrite The Misanthrope The Miser The Imaginary Invalid The Impostures of Scapin... Jean Racine: Phaedra Pierre Corneille: The Cid Voltaire: Candide Zadig Micromegas The Huron A Philosophical Dictionary... Jean-Jacques Rousseau: Confessions Emile The Social Contract De Laclos: Dangerous Liaisons Stendhal‎: The Red and the Black The Charterhouse of Parma... Honoré de Balzac: Father Goriot Eugénie Grandet Lost Illusions The Lily of the Valley A Woman of Thirty Colonel Chabert The Magic Skin The Unknown Masterpiece... Victor Hugo: Les Misérables The Man Who Laughs The Hunchback of Notre-Dame Toilers of the Sea... George Sand: The Devil's Pool Mauprat Alexandre Dumas pere: The Three Musketeers Twenty Years After The Vicomte de Bragelonne Ten Years After Louise de la Valliere The Man in the Iron Mask The Count of Monte Cristo... Alexandre Dumas fils: The Lady with the Camellias Gustave Flaubert: Madame Bovary Salammbô Bouvard and Pécuchet Sentimental Education... Émile Zola: Thérèse Raquin The Fortune of the Rougons The Kill The Dram Shop A Love Episode Nana Piping Hot Germinal His Masterpiece The Earth The Dream The Human Beast Money The Downfall Doctor Pascal... Jules Verne: Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea Around the World in Eighty Days The Mysterious Island Journey to the Centre of the Earth From the Earth to the Moon Around the Moon In Search of the Castaways Guy de Maupassant: A Life Bel-Ami (The History of a Scoundrel) Mont Oriol Notre Coeur Pierre and Jean Strong as Death The Necklace The Horla Boul de Suif Two Friends Madame Tellier's Establishment... Charles Baudelaire: The Flowers of Evil Anatole France: The Revolt of the Angels The Gods are Athirst (The Gods Will Have Blood) Penguin Island Thaïs Gaston Leroux: The Phantom of the Opera The Mystery of the Yellow Room The Secret of the Night The Man with the Black Feather Marcel Proust: Swann's Way

The Greatest French Classics Of All Time serves as a literary voyage through the rich landscape of French literature, encapsulating the vibrancy and diversity of its canon. From the piercing introspection of Proust to the adventurous realms of Verne, this anthology curates an essential compendium of works that have shaped not only national but global thought and imagination. Each piece is a testament to the multifaceted nature of human experience, woven through a spectrum of genres that include tragedy, comedy, realism, and romance. The anthology stands out for its inclusion of seminal works that have sparked literary movements, challenged societal norms, and transcended the confines of their temporal settings to offer timeless reflections on life and society. The contributing authors, a constellation of literary luminaries such as Voltaire, Hugo, Sand, and Baudelaire, bring a wealth of perspectives to the collection. Their backgrounds, ranging from the philosophical musings of Rousseau to the stark realism of Zola, highlight a period of intense literary innovation and exploration in France that corresponded with tumultuous social and political change. Together, these authors have not only contributed to the shaping of modern French identity but have also left an indelible mark on world literature, allowing readers to trace the evolution of literary forms and themes across centuries. The Greatest French Classics Of All Time is an indispensable treasure trove for anyone keen to embark on a comprehensive exploration of French literary heritage. It offers an unparalleled opportunity to engage with the works of master storytellers whose narratives have perennially captivated the hearts and minds of readers around the globe. This anthology is not just a showcase of Frances literary genius; it is a gateway to a broader appreciation of the universal themes of human condition, love, conflict, and aspiration. Through its pages, readers are invited to participate in a continuous dialogue with the past, enriching their understanding of the evolving nature of literature and the enduring power of storytelling.