French Stories Contes Francais

Ten unusual stories: "Micromégas" by Voltaire; "The Atheist's Mass" by Balzac; "The Legend of St. Julian the Hospitaler" by Flaubert; "Spleen of Paris" by Baudelaire; and more. English translations appear on facing pages.

Ten unusual stories by French literary masters from Voltaire to Camus: "Micromégas" by Voltaire; "The Atheist's Mass" by Balzac; "The Legend of St. Julian the Hospitaler" by Flaubert; "Spleen of Paris" by Baudelaire; "Minuet" by de Maupassant; "The Guest" by Camus; and more. Accurate English translations appear on facing pages.

Ten unusual stories by French literary masters from Voltaire to Camus: "Micromégas" by Voltaire; "The Atheist's Mass" by Balzac; "The Legend of St. Julian the Hospitaler" by Flaubert; "Spleen of Paris" by Baudelaire; "Minuet" by de Maupassant; "The Guest" by Camus; and more. Accurate English translations appear on facing pages.

Includes 218 footpage notes - Arround 951 Ebook pages - Interactive table of contents and notes with hyperlinks. This edition of "Contes Français" follows the lines of my precedent "French Short Stories". The stories have been chosen from representative authors of the nineteenth century with a view to: (1) literary worth, (2) varied style and subject-matter, (3) large vocabulary, (4) interest for the student. The vocabulary is large (between 6000 and 7000 words); it is hoped that it will be found to be complete, with the exception of merely personal names, having no English equivalent and of no signification beyond the story in which they occur. In a few instances words will be found in the text with special meanings; in these cases the vocabulary contains the usual signification as well as the special. Irregularities in pronunciation are indicated in the vocabulary. A knowledge of the elementary principles of French grammar on the part of the student is presupposed. Consequently the notes contain few grammatical explanations. Repetition of rules that may be found in the ordinary grammars would be unnecessary, and the individual instructor will probably prefer to adapt this side of the work to the needs of each class, Or better still to the needs of each student. Mere translations have also been avoided in the notes; the complete vocabulary will enable the student to do this work himself. The body of the notes is devoted to the explanation of historical and literary references and to the explanation of difficult or exceptional grammatical constructions. A few general remarks have been made in connection with each author in order to point out his place in French literature; bibliographical material for more detailed information has been indicated and the principal works of each author have been mentioned, together with one or more editions of his works. No alteration of any kind has been made in the French Text.

Premi�re �dition (First Edition)D�velopp�e � partir de la tradition de narration orale du Moyen �ge, le petit conte a �t� d�velopp� et diversifi�e de sorte qu'il est maintenant difficile de la caract�riser. Il ne peut pas �tre inclus dans un genre sp�cifique et diff�re sensiblement selon le pays et la p�riode historique. Le petit conte utilise des techniques sp�cifiques pour souligner un effet singulier ou une humeur.Il y a de nombreuses d�finitions dr�les pour les petits contes: �essences fortes dans de petites bouteilles�, �dire beaucoup en quelques mots�, �une mani�re de penser synth�tis�e�, �un moyen rapide, appropri� � ce si�cle, de transmettre des id�es�, �l'intelligence sur des petits espaces�, etc. C'est un genre tr�s appropri� pour la jeunesse d'aujourd'hui, avec un message concis et puissant. Une �vasion du monde r�el dans un univers totalement diff�rent pour certains, une occasion de se d�tendre ou un moyen de procrastination pour les autres. Les lecteurs des petits contes ont des id�es et des �motions plus puissantes, concentr�es et intenses. Un art profond et relaxant, tr�s appropri� pour notre temps.J'ai r�uni dans cette anthologie quelques-unes des plus beaux petits contes de la litt�rature fran�aise classique. La premi�re �dition se poursuivra au cours des ann�es � venir avec d'autres histoires au moins aussi belles, �crites par les auteurs fran�ais les plus c�l�bres.(Developed from oral storytelling tradition from the Middle Ages, short story was developed and diversified so that it is now difficult to characterize it. It cannot be included into a specific genre and substantially differ by country and historical period. Short story uses specific techniques to emphasize a singular effect or mood.There are many funny definitions for short stories: "strong essences in small bottles", "to say much in a few words", "a way of synthesized thinking", "a quick way, appropriate to this century, to convey ideas", "intelligence on small spaces", etc. It is a very suitable genre for the youth of today, with concise and powerful message. An escape from the real world in a totally different universe for some, an opportunity to relax or a means of procrastination for others. Short stories readers have more powerful, concentrated and intense ideas and emotions. A deep and relaxing art, very appropriate for our time.I brought together in this anthology some of the most beautiful short stories of the classical French literature. The first edition will be continued over many years to come, with other stories at least as beautiful, written by the most famous French authors.)

French text and English translations on facing pages of six stories: Merimée's Mateo Falcone, Nerval's Sylvie, Daudet's La mule du Pape, Flaubert's Hérodias, Zola's L’attaque du moulin,, de Maupassant's Mademoiselle Perle.