L'Invitation Au Voyage / Invitation to the Voyage: A Poem Illustrated from the Flowers of Evil by Charles Baudelaire

by Eric Baker (editor), Richard Wilbur (Translator), Carol Cosman (Translator)

This handsome bilingual (French/English) gift edition pairs Charles Baudelaire's classic "Invitation to the Voyage"--the best-known poem from The Flowers of Evil--with a score of moody, atmospheric 19th-century photos. 20 duotone illustrations.

Genres: Poetry

Hardcover

First published October 1, 1997

Reviews

[عماد العتيلي · Rating 3 out of 5]

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In a nutshell: I’m not a big-poetry-fan! Maybe this is why I didn’t find anything special in this poem.
BUT this doesn’t mean it’s not beautiful. I think its best description is: INTERESTING.

[Deborah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This would be a great introduction to Beaudelaire, especially for a non-francophone who is unfamiliar with his work. It is a beautiful book with imagination-stimulating, turn-of-the-century photography, although I am compelled to question the correlation between some of the verses and the images which were selected as corresponding to them. Like the photographs, the English translation conjures the poet’s trademark soul-stirring (or, as Beaudelaire might quip, “spleen-stirring”) imagery; however those who are proficient in French will recognize that that this literary effect comes as a consequence of taking daring liberties with the literal, French text.

[R. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dual language edition of a pretty sappy Baudelaire prose-poem. Fit for a coffeetable, perfect for Valentine's Day; looks like a children's book (except with very very mild Victorian-Era-level-of-scandal nudity). Sepia toned, sepia toned throughout.

[Matt · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a very nice poem paired well with evocative photographs. The translation of the poetry was not what I hoped but it enabled me to use my limited French to follow along quite well.

[Stina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book #51 for 2018
GenreLand: July - Published before the 20th century
Goodreads Summer Reading: Poet at Heart - Read a book of poetry
The Messy Middle Summer Reading: A book you read years ago and have meant to reread
Full House Bingo: Reread

A little bit of a fudge, perhaps, as this particular presentation was not published before the 20th century. But the original poem is from the 19th century, so I'm counting it. It is not my favorite Baudelaire poem -- I'm more of a "Les Chats" girl -- but I admire its flow and get a little bit more out of it every time I read it. I don't tend to pay much attention to the translation, as I generally find translations of poetry disappointing at best, but I probably should start. It was an interesting exercise when I was reading that Pablo Neruda collection, so I wonder how different it will be since my Spanish is so much worse than my French.

The photos in this book seem like odd choices, but they do really add something to the experience. It looks like it's been nearly 15 years between readings. I shall strive to shorten that interval for the next reading.

[Brainard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful photographs accompany this (not quite epic) poem. A pleasurable experience.

[Ann · Rating 3 out of 5]

Poetry isn't a favorite of mine. However, this was a lovely translation, accompanied by interesting sepia pictures.

[Rogue Male · Rating 3 out of 5]

6/10