Selected Fables (Penguin Classics) - Softcover

Jean De La Fontaine; James Michie

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0140443762 ISBN 13: 9780140443769

Publisher: Penguin Classics, 1982

Synopsis

The most famous fabulist after Aesop, the French poet Jean de la Fontaine published his three collections of fables in the second half of the seventeenth century, and found that not only had he an instant popular success on his hands; he happened to have written a literary masterpiece as well. Though not specifically composed for the young, these tales have a freshness and vividness which continue to appeal to children today, while the psychological astuteness of the author and the wit and elegance of his style will impress adults as well. La Fontaine happily ransacked a whole range of sources for his stories - from ancient Greek and Latin to contemporary French and Italian - adapting, interweaving, blending, inventing and transforming as he went. The result is a unique and imaginative tour de force which has delighted and entertained readers for over 300 years.

About this title

About the Author:

Jean de La Fontaine (1621-1695) French poet, whose FABLES rank among the masterpieces of world literature. His FABLES CHOISIES MISES EN VERS, usually called 'La Fontaine Fables', were published over the last 25 years of his life. The first volume appeared when the author was 47. The book includes some 240 poems and timeless stories of countryfolk, heroes from Greek mythology, and familiar beasts from the fables of Aesop.

Language Notes:

Text: English, French (translation)

About this edition

• Publisher: Penguin Classics
• Publication date: 1982
• ISBN 10: 0140443762
• ISBN 13: 9780140443769
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 141