Persian Letters (Oxford World's Classics) - Softcover

Montesquieu; Mauldon, Margaret

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9780192806352: Persian Letters (Oxford World's Classics)
Softcover
ISBN 10: 0192806351 ISBN 13: 9780192806352
Publisher: Oxford University Press, 2008

Synopsis

Persian Letters is a classic of European literature by Baron de Montesquieu, the brilliant thinker who had a huge influence on the Enlightenment. Through the astute observations of his two fictional Persian travelers in Europe--Usbek and Rica--Montesquieu asks fundamental questions about human nature, the manners and flirtations of polite society, the structures of power, and the hypocrisy of religion-all in a witty, inventive satire that combines travel literature and the epistolary genre. Indeed, this pioneering epistolary novel appeared almost twenty years before Richardson's Pamela. This is the first English translation based on the new, definitive edition of the original French text, revealing this lively work as Montesquieu first intended. The book features an engaging and comprehensive introductory essay, covering a wide range of topics, including the novel's fictional techniques and innovations; travel literature as a genre; historical context and Enlightenment ideas; Orientalism; and other issues. The editor has included full explanatory notes, a useful list of characters, and an invaluable appendix featuring excerpts from Montesquieu's most important sources.

About the Series: For over 100 years Oxford World's Classics has made available the broadest spectrum 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, voluminous notes to clarify the text, up-to-date bibliographies for further study, and much more.

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About the Author

Andrew Kahn is University Lecturer in Russian at Oxford University.
Margaret Mauldon is the distinguished translator of Flaubert's Madame Bovary, Diderot's Rameau's Nephew, and other works.

"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.

Publisher
Oxford University Press
Publication date
2008
Language
English
ISBN 10 
0192806351
ISBN 13 
9780192806352
Binding
Paperback
Edition number
1
Number of pages
320
Editor
Kahn Andrew
Rating
  • 3.63 out of 5 stars
    8,207 ratings by Goodreads