Belles Lettres: Manuscripts by the Masters of French Literature

A billet-doux for francophones and bibliophiles, Belles Lettres compiles the original manuscripts of more than 100 famous French writers from the 13th to the 20th century, and in doing so offers a comprehensive look at the country's major literary and intellectual movements. Scholars and dilettantes alike will delight in the rationalism of René Descartes, symbolist verse of Charles Baudelaire, crystalline prose of Marcel Proust, romantic intrigue of Colette, and stark existentialism of Jean-Paul Sartre. Because many of the manuscripts are rare, this volume--from the editors of Abrams' Brilliant Beginnings and Illustrated Letters--provides the first English translation of several of the works.

Reproduced in full-color spreads, the excerpts, letters, and diary entries are accompanied by translations and analyses, as well as profiles and portraits of the authors.