The Random House Book of Twentieth Century French Poetry

by Paul Auster

During the 20th Century, France was home to many of the world’s greatest poets. This collection highlights some of the very best verse that came out of a country and century defined by war and liberation. Let Paul Auster guide you through some of the best poetry that 20th century France has to offer.
 
“Indispensable . . . a book that everyone interested in modern poetry should have close to hand, a source of renewable delights and discoveries, a book that will long claim our attention . . . To my knowledge, no current anthology is as full and as deftly edited.”—Peter Brooks, The New York Times Book Review
 
“One of the freshest and most exciting books of poetry to appear in a long while . . . Paul Auster has provided the best possible point of entry into this century's most influential body of poetry.”—Geoffrey O'Brien, The Village Voice

Genres: Poetry, France, Anthologies

688 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1982

About the author

Paul Auster was the bestselling author of 4 3 2 1, Bloodbath Nation, Baumgartner, The Book of Illusions, and The New York Trilogy, among many other works. In 2006 he was awarded the Prince of Asturias Prize for Literature. Among his other honors are the Prix Médicis Étranger for Leviathan, the Independent Spirit Award for the screenplay of Smoke, and the Premio Napoli for Sunset Park. In 2012, he was the first recipient of the NYC Literary Honors in the category of fiction. He was also a finalist for the International IMPAC Dublin Literary Award (The Book of Illusions), the PEN/Faulkner Award (The Music of Chance), the Edgar Award (City of Glass), and the Man Booker Prize (4 3 2 1). Auster was a member of the American Academy of Arts and Letters and a Commandeur de l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres. His work has been translated into more than forty languages. He died at age seventy-seven in 2024.

Reviews

[Mitch · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a crucial book, one that I return to all the time. It's not just the sparkling selection (editor Paul Auster made just the right choices), it's the translations themselves. I was at the launch party for this book, where some of the translators read from their work in the book, and I remember being impressed and delighted. At the time, I couldn't afford the book. Later, found a hardcover at half-price somewhere (probably Strand). The Micheaux (translation by Armand Schwerner) poems stand out, as well as Cendrars (Padgett).

[Kitty · Rating 5 out of 5]

side-by-side edition of 47 20th c. French poets -- 663 pages of pleasure not only for the French, but the multitude of venerable British and American poets who make their mark. I like the variety of voices which range from translations of poets from the turn of the century to the later years of the 20th century.

I'm using many of the poems for a course I'm teaching on French poetry for the non-fluent French student.
Having the side-by-side edition is a distinct asset, to point out the form and sounds of the original language.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is my plastic jesus.

[Tosh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent survey of French poets and their poems in one nice edition. I especially like it for the Surrealists - Breton, Soupault, etc. Paul Auster did a great editing job on this particular book.

[Andrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

An amazing collection of 20th century French poetry edited by the profoundly knowledgeable Paul Auster. This kind of compendium isnt something you ever finish reading, but rather a reference to be used to further investigate various movements or epics of French contemporary poetry. I came to this volume already pretty well versed in the majority of Surrealist authors, but it thankfully led me to the likes of Saint John-Pearse, Reverdy, and Ponge. For that, I hold this collection forever in high esteem.

[Shelby Koning · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got this book at Powell's Books in the late 80's. No other book I own looks so ravaged, read, revered. All my dreams were wrapped in ribbons of poetry in those younger years, beauty and death. Here I stand in the middle, re-experiencing it in a way that only time can allow. A treasure, what survived, gives passion, leads to the tributary of emotional resonance. How does one rate poetry, stars in the sky, or on the page? How did it make me feel, how far did it travel? Does it wear its scars well? Five out of five, would travel through time again, to open these pages and feel like a poet again, and again, unfolding the dog ears, jumping to the lines with emphasis, stars... So many.

[Jeff Harrington · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my main sources for titles of my pieces!

[Mitchell McInnis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Auster is primarily known for his novels, though he is a very accomplished critic and curator of poetry. This bilingual collection is a wonderful testament to the same. Highlights include translations by Charles Simic among others.

[Eric]

"Et comme l'Êsperance est violente."

[jessa · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of my favorite re-reads.

[Mark · Rating 4 out of 5]

The only good thing Paul Auster has ever done.

[Joseph Ozias · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great collection of poetry.

[Tom · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am reading this soon.