Writers In Paris: Literary Lives in the City of Light

by David Burke

A revealing history of writers who lived in Paris, from Moliére to Henry the basis for one of Lonely Planet ’s Top 10 Literary Walking Tours. No city has attracted so much literary talent, launched so many illustrious careers, or produced such a wealth of enduring literature as Paris. From the 15th century through the 20th, poets, novelists, and playwrights, famed for their brilliant work―as well as their raucous bohemian lives―were shaped by this enchanting locale. From natives such as Arthur Rimbaud, Jean Genet, and Anais Nin, to expats like Ernest Hemmingway, Samuel Beckett, and Gertrude Stein, author David Burke follows hundreds of writers through the labyrinthine streets of Paris, inviting readers on a fascinating, in-depth tour of their lives in the City of Light. Unique in scope and approach, Writers in Paris crosses from Right Bank to Left and on to the Ile de la Cité as it explores the alleyways and haunts frequented by the world’s most storied writers. Burke explores how the city inspired their writing, and offers revealing accounts of their passions, obsessions, and betrayals. Equally appealing to Francophiles and serious readers, this informative book includes maps and more than 100 evocative photographs.

Genres: Travel, Nonfiction, France, History

320 pages, Hardcover

First published April 28, 2008

About the author

Librarian Note: There are multiple authors by this name in the GR database.

See also: Fantasy author David Burke

David Burke is a documentary filmmaker and former 60 MINUTES writer/producer who came to Paris in 1986 for what he thought would be a year, but turned into more than twenty. Besides Writers in Paris, he has written two editions of HarperCollinss Access Paris, a travel guide to Mediterranean France, and numerous articles for magazines and web sites. He and his wife, producer/director Joanne Burke, have also made seven documentaries over these years and are working on a eighth.
He now divides his time between Paris and New York.

Reviews

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a book that it's great fun to read with a Paris streetmap so you can spot exactly where various writers lived in Paris, as well as their preferred cafes, and even the address of a still existing male brothel (oh, that devil Proust).
The book is divided into sections, e.g., the literary Left Bank, the heart of the Right Bank, areas outside Paris. Since a number of writers lived in various parts of the city, it's possible to see the crop up multiple times in the book. This is not simply a dry guidebook since there are many quite interesting anecdotes about writers.
The book covers writers from Rabelais and Villon up to James Jones, Fitzgerald, and Hemingway. In addition to French and American writers, Joyce and Beckett, Heine, and Turgenev are included as well as representatives of Dadaism, Symbolism, Romanticism, Naturalism, etc.
The book covers from Montmartre to Montparnasse and from L'Etoile to the Bastille (plus the suburbs as a kind of bonus final chapter). If you love literature, and especially if you love Paris, this book should be read.

[reveurdart · Rating 4 out of 5]

The varied selection of authors were very well curated, including the great female author George Sand, as the book takes you on tour through literary Paris.

4.5 stars. Near perfect book and a new favourite go-to book for me.

[Cerise Press]

"Didn’t Edmondo De Amicis once claim, 'One never sees Paris for the first time; one always sees it again?' Burke’s dynamic mapping of this special city illustrates how countless inspired and disillusioned writers from all over the world write Paris in life and in art. Sly, eclectic, yet packed with an utmost humor, this book traces these writers’ footsteps, street by street and across all times, mingling the fictional memories they have penned with colorful historical or biographical facts. An enthralling read."

- Greta Aart

[Joanna · Rating 3 out of 5]

While it took me a while, I enjoyed reading through this with the iPad Google maps on my lap -- I could select locations and see the street view of 95% of the locations in this book. Felt like I was strolling through literary Paris. Even more excited to return soon now.

[David W. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice overview, but needs an index of place names.

[Wyma · Rating 4 out of 5]

Martha borrowed for me from another library; such a good book I'm buying it.

[Cindy Lofgren · Rating 1 out of 5]

Uninspiring.