Modern Classics Paris

by Julien Green

Book Overview

'The most bizarre and delicious of travel books' Observer

Julian Green was born to American parents in Paris in 1900, and spent most of his life in the French capital. Paris is an extraordinary, lyrical love letter to the city, taking the reader on an imaginative journey around its secret stairways, courtyards, alleys and hidden places. Whether evoking the cool of a deserted church on a hot summer's day, remembering Notre...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0141194650
• ISBN13: 9780141194653
• Release Date: June 2012
• Publisher: Penguin Group
• Length: 160 Pages
• Weight: 0.32 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.3" x 5.1" x 7.8"

Customer Reviews

Paris

The chance to have enjoyed this unique perspective of Paris, ably presented by Julian Green would not have occured were it not for the excellent service of the vendor from whom I purchased it as a "used" book. It arrived in a timely manner and is in near mint condition. About the book: if you have never been to Paris, plan to go, have enjoyed this great city either a few or many times, or, finally, are a Parisian. . . inhaling the great prose of the author as he paints word pictures of every aspect of Paris is a treat indeed. Also, with this unique presentation of both French and English on facing pages the reader can either polish up his French (or English) or at least give the impression of being bi-lingual as he immerses himself in the reading while traveling on the Metro.

A Truly Wonderful Book

This is a wonderful book. I recommend it especially for those who have wandered in Paris, know it at least a bit, and love it. The presentation of Green's French text on the left and a fine English translation on the right is enormously helpful; but I think if you have a modest amount of French you will want to read that, resorting to the English only out of real necessity. There are a number of Green's own utterly unpretentious photos of Paris, and they add a lot. Buy it.

An Evocative Remembrance

This is an unique book even among the many written about Paris. The late Julian Green was the only American member of the Academie de France --- and he wrote these exquisite, tender memoirs of Paris in French. The books lays out the French text face-to-face with the superlative English transation [is it possible that the translator is Green himself using a nom-de-plume?] --- this slender volume will repay you with many many joyous moments, particularly if you read French. Not only is it a superlative book on Paris, it is a superlative gem of lyrical writing.