Nerval is one of the most important writers of the French Romantic movement. His great sonnet cycle, Les Chimeres, in its marvellous combination of spell, quest and dream, continues to fascinate writers, readers, and translators. Will Stone's spirited English versions are accompanied by an essay, as well as by an introduction - written in 1949 - by the late Michael Hamburger, as well as commentary by Norma Rinsler, the doyenne of English Nervaliens.
Author Biography
Gerard de Nerval (1808-1855) was the nom-de-plume of the French writer, poet, essayist and translator Gerard Labrunie. A major figure of French romanticism, he is best known for his poems and novellas, especially the collection Les Filles du feu (The Daughters of Fire), which includes the novella Sylvie and the poem "El Desdichado", also included in Les Chimeres. He played a major role in introducing French readers to the works of German Romantic authors, including Schiller and Goethe. His later work investigated the relationship between poetry and madness, reality and fiction, and dreams and life. He was a major influence on Marcel Proust, Andre Breton and Surrealism.
