Selected Letters (Penguin Classics) - Softcover

Sevigne, Madame De

Softcover

ISBN 10: 014044405X ISBN 13: 9780140444056

Publisher: Penguin Classics, 1982

Synopsis

One of the world's greatest correspondents, Madame de Sévigné paints an extraordinarily vivid picture of France at the time of Louis XIV, in eloquent letters written throughout her life to family and friends. A significant figure in French society and literary circles, whose close friends included Madame de La Fayette and La Rochefoucauld, she reflected on both significant historical events and personal issues, and in this selection of the most significant letters, spanning almost fifty years, she is by turns humorous and melancholic, profound and superficial. Whether describing the new plays of Racine and Molière, speculating on court scandals - including the intrigues of the King's mistresses - or relating her own family concerns, Madame de Sévigné provides throughout an intriguing portrait of the lost age of Le Roi Soleil.

For more than seventy years, Penguin has been the leading publisher of classic literature in the English-speaking world. With more than 1,700 titles, Penguin Classics represents a global bookshelf of the best works throughout history and across genres and disciplines. Readers trust the series to provide authoritative texts enhanced by introductions and notes by distinguished scholars and contemporary authors, as well as up-to-date translations by award-winning translators.

About this title

From the Back Cover:

One of the world's great letter writers, Madame de Sevigne (1626-96) has bequeathed an extraordinarily vivid picture of life in the France of Louis XIV.

About the Author:

Madame de Sévigné (1626-1696). Widowed at 26, Sevigne spent most of her time in Paris, where she became a popular member of the salons and the court, considered as a especially witty conversationalist. In early 1671, Francoise and her infant daughter left for Provence, and the letters that would make up the largest bulk of Sevigne's correspondence (68% of her extant letters) began. Francoise Sevigne wrote to her daughter whenever they were apart---at least weekly, sometimes more frequently---giving her court news (valuable to the Grignans, far from the center of power), Parisian gossip, advice (usually unwanted), and always expressions of her love.

About this edition

• Publisher: Penguin Classics
• Publication date: 1982
• ISBN 10: 014044405X
• ISBN 13: 9780140444056
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 320