With over 700 entries from an international team of contributors, this wide-ranging work crosses the traditional boundaries between disciplines in the humanities and social sciences and defines French culture in its broadest sense.

Areas covered include:

* economy
* education
* film
* food and wine
* gender and sexuality
* society
* visual arts.

Entries range from shorter, factual contributions to longer overview essays, and provide an essential context for anyone studying French, as well as for readers with an interest in critical theory and those pursuing comparative studies in European culture. To assist readers with their research a classified contents list identifies relevant entries within a particular field. The articles are extensively cross-referenced to provide links between subjects and conclude with annotated suggestions for further reading.

About the Author

Alex Hughes is Senior Lecturer in French at the University of Birmingham, and Keith Reader is Head of French Studies at the University of Newcastle upon Tyne, England.

Reviews

'This excellent new Encyclopedia of Contemporary French Culture is a vivid and widely angled snapshot made user-friendly for the non-specialist observer ... authoritative and stimulating ... this encyclopedia will define contemporary French culture for a generation. This very informative and thoughtful Encyclopedia will be a boon to all France-watchers.' - Times Literary Supplement

'Articles are lucid, informative, reliable and of value to both the novice and the expert. It is a well balanced, impressive piece of work and an essential reference tool for all relevant libraries.' - Reference Reviews

'This work would be of utility to college and university students not only in French programmes but in areas such as cinema studies, literary theory, or political science. Recommended for academic and large public libraries.' - Booklist

'This excellent new Encyclopedia of Contemporary French Culture is a vivid and widely angled snapshot made user-friendly for the non-specialist observer ... authoritative and stimulating ... this encyclopedia will define contemporary French culture for a generation. This very informative and thoughtful Encyclopedia will be a boon to all France-watchers.' -Times Literary Supplement

'Recommended especially for public libraries.'-Library Journal'Articles are lucid, informative, reliable and of value to both the novice and the expert. It is a well balanced, impressive piece of work and an essential reference tool for all relevant libraries.' -Reference Reviews
'Coverage ... is impressively wide' -Journal of French Language Studies
'This Encyclopedia is a very useful source of information on many contemporary topics' - French Review

Book Information
ISBN 9780415263542
Author Alexandra Hughes
Format Paperback
Page Count 640
Imprint Routledge
Publisher Taylor & Francis Ltd
Weight(grams) 1180g