La Fontaine: une école buissonnière
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Authors
Orsenna, Erik
Issue Date
2017
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Abstract
Here is a surprise find at a bouquinist's stall. It turns out to be a biography of La Fontaine apparently issuing in or from segments for "France Inter" during summer of 2017. The title suggests something like "school for playing truant." Here is a rough translation of what the back cover proclaims: "What do we know of La Fontaine, undoubtedly the greatest poet of our French language? Here is a walk through the real country of a certain very small Jean, born July 8, 1621, in the good town of Château-Thierry, just at the entrance to Champagne. Soon here is Paris, the happy Latin Quarter, and good comrades: Boileau, Molière, Racine. Here is a protector, a too brilliant Superintendent of Finance, soon to be imprisoned. It is not without risk to Shadow the Sun King. Here is a very consistent husband: fast cuckold and content with life, as long as he is left to run as he pleases. Here is poverty, despite the immense success of the Fables. And, perhaps for the best, here are Contes. National Education, which does not like to blush, forbade us to teach them. One meets there too many ladies "nice in bodice." You will see how La Fontaine resembles life: half-fable, half-Conte. Seriously naughty."
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Stock/France Inter
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13416 (Access ID)