A Rival of Racine reveals Pradon, his life and dramatic works, and what the era saw in a contested author.
This scholarly study examines Pradon as a real figure in the French theatre of Louis XIV, not just a target of satire. It guides readers through his tragedies, the people around him, and the critical debates that followed.
The book traces Pradon’s career, the tastes of his time, and the literary world that shaped and judged his work. It explains how critics from his own day to later historians weighed his merits, his failures, and the fame he sought in the shadow of Racine.
- Context for Pradon’s tragedies and how they fit with late 17th-century French drama
- Discussion of major works such as Pirame et Thisbe, Tamerlan, Phedre et Hippolyte, and Regulus
- Analysis of critics’ voices over time and what they reveal about literary reputation
- Insights into sources, politics of the theatre, and the culture surrounding the plays
Ideal for readers of literary history, theatre studies, and fans of classical French drama who want a clear, evidence-based overview of a contested but influential figure.