'Les Fleurs du mal' (1861) was the first great modern work of poetry and one of the few books of poems to become an international bestseller. This edition contains all of Baudelaire's poetry in verse with Francis Scarfe's scrupulous and inventive prose translations at the foot of the pages. Together with his detailed and authoritative introduction, this presentation makes an ideal edition both for the student and for the general reader who wishes to tackle the French original with a reliable prose guide at hand. The companion volume, 'Paris Blues', contains Baudelaire's prose poems ('Le Spleen de Paris' or 'Petits Poemes en prose') and the short novel 'La Fanfarlo' (1847), a charming extravaganza written in his early twenties.

About the Author
Francis Scarfe (1911-1986) was a lecturer in French poetry at Glasgow University before and again after World War II. From 1959 to 1978, he was director of the British Institute in Paris. For his work on Baudelaire he was awarded the Prix de L'Ile Saint-Louis (1966). On retirement he was made a Chevalier de la Legion d'honneur. He was the author of four collections of poetry, a verse translation of selected fables of La Fontaine, and the critical works 'Auden and After' and 'Andre Chenier, His Life and Work'.

Reviews
'More than any other translator I find that Francis Scarfe sheds light on the poetry of Baudelaire with his meticulous and imaginative renderings' - Sean O'Brien 'Scarfe's translations should remain the classic point de repere' - Stephen Romer, Times Literary Supplement



Book Information
ISBN 9780856464270
Author Charles Baudelaire
Format Paperback
Page Count 472
Imprint Anvil Press Poetry
Publisher Carcanet Press Ltd