A Passion for Paris

A Passion for Paris

Author: David Downie

Publisher: Macmillan + ORM

Published: 2015-04-28

Total Pages: 369

ISBN-13: 1466841257

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"A top-notch walking tour of Paris. . . . The author's encyclopedic knowledge of the city and its artists grants him a mystical gift of access: doors left ajar and carriage gates left open foster his search for the city's magical story. Anyone who loves Paris will adore this joyful book. Readers visiting the city are advised to take it with them to discover countless new experiences." —Kirkus Reviews (starred) A unique combination of memoir, history, and travelogue, this is author David Downie's irreverent quest to uncover why Paris is the world's most romantic city—and has been for over 150 years. Abounding in secluded, atmospheric parks, artists' studios, cafes, restaurants and streets little changed since the 1800s, Paris exudes romance. The art and architecture, the cityscape, riverbanks, and the unparalleled quality of daily life are part of the equation. But the city's allure derives equally from hidden sources: querulous inhabitants, a bizarre culture of heroic negativity, and a rich historical past supplying enigmas, pleasures and challenges. Rarely do visitors suspect the glamor and chic and the carefree atmosphere of the City of Light grew from and still feed off the dark fountainheads of riot, rebellion, mayhem and melancholy—and the subversive literature, art and music of the Romantic Age. Weaving together his own with the lives and loves of Victor Hugo, Georges Sand, Charles Baudelaire, Balzac, Nadar and other great Romantics Downie delights in the city's secular romantic pilgrimage sites asking , Why Paris, not Venice or Rome—the tap root of "romance"—or Berlin, Vienna and London—where the earliest Romantics built castles-in-the-air and sang odes to nightingales? Read A Passion for Paris: Romanticism and Romance in the City of Light and find out.


The Red Sphinx

The Red Sphinx

Author: Alexandre Dumas

Publisher: Pegasus Books

Published: 2017-01-03

Total Pages: 0

ISBN-13: 9781681772974

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For the first time in English in over a century, a new translation of the forgotten sequel to Dumas’s The Three Musketeers, continuing the dramatic tale of Cardinal Richelieu and his implacable enemies. In 1844, Alexandre Dumas published The Three Musketeers, a novel so famous and still so popular today that it scarcely needs introduction. Shortly thereafter he wrote a sequel, Twenty Years After, that resumed the adventures of his swashbuckling heroes. Later, toward the end of his career, Dumas wrote The Red Sphinx, another direct sequel to The Three Musketeers that begins, not twenty years later, but a mere twenty days afterward. The Red Sphinx picks up right where the The Three Musketeers left off, continuing the stories of Cardinal Richelieu, Queen Anne, and King Louis XIII—and introducing a charming new hero, the Comte de Moret, a real historical figure from the period. A young cavalier newly arrived in Paris, Moret is an illegitimate son of the former king, and thus half-brother to King Louis. The French Court seethes with intrigue as king, queen, and cardinal all vie for power, and young Moret soon finds himself up to his handsome neck in conspiracy, danger—and passionate romance! Dumas wrote seventy-five chapters of The Red Sphinx, all for serial publication, but he never quite finished it, and so the novel languished for almost a century before its first book publication in France in 1946. While Dumas never completed the book, he had earlier written a separate novella, The Dove, that recounted the final adventures of Moret and Cardinal Richelieu. Now for the first time, in one cohesive narrative, The Red Sphinx and The Dove make a complete and satisfying storyline—a rip-roaring novel of historical adventure, heretofore unknown to English-language readers, by the great Alexandre Dumas, king of the swashbucklers.


The Count of Monte Cristo + The Three Musketeers + The Man in the Iron Mask (3 Unabridged Classics)

The Count of Monte Cristo + The Three Musketeers + The Man in the Iron Mask (3 Unabridged Classics)

Author: Alexandre Dumas

Publisher: Good Press

Published: 2023-12-19

Total Pages: 2837

ISBN-13:

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Alexandre Dumas, a renowned French author of the 19th century, has gifted us with three timeless literary classics in one volume: 'The Count of Monte Cristo,' 'The Three Musketeers,' and 'The Man in the Iron Mask.' Dumas' writing style is marked by vivid descriptions, intricate plots, and engaging character development, making his works a true delight for literature enthusiasts. These three novels, set in different historical periods, explore themes of revenge, loyalty, betrayal, and redemption, showcasing Dumas' mastery in blending adventure, romance, and drama into captivating storytelling. The rich historical context and detailed settings immerse readers in a world of intrigue and adventure, with plot twists and suspense keeping them eagerly turning the pages. Alexandre Dumas' own experiences as a prolific playwright and novelist, as well as his fascination with history and politics, provide insight into the depth and complexity of his storytelling. Drawing from his knowledge of French history and literature, Dumas weaves intricate narratives that reflect the societal tensions and moral dilemmas of his time, resonating with readers across generations. His enduring legacy as a literary giant continues to inspire writers and readers alike, cementing his place in the canon of world literature. I highly recommend 'The Count of Monte Cristo,' 'The Three Musketeers,' and 'The Man in the Iron Mask' to anyone seeking a literary masterpiece that seamlessly combines adventure, romance, and drama. Dumas' storytelling prowess and timeless themes make these novels a must-read for those who appreciate classic literature and intricate plots that stand the test of time.


The Romances of Alexandre Dumas

The Romances of Alexandre Dumas

Author: Alexandre Dumas

Publisher: Palala Press

Published: 2015-11-20

Total Pages: 262

ISBN-13: 9781347018170

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