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Selected Poems from Les Fleurs du mal: A Bilingual Edition
In a masterly translation by Norman Shapiro, this selection of poems from Les Fleurs du mal demonstrates the magnificent range of Baudelaire's gift, from the exquisite quatrains to the formal challenges of his famous sonnets. The poems are presented in both French and English, complemented by the work of illustrator David Schorr. As much a pleasure to look at as it is to read, this volume invites newcomers and devotees alike to experience Baudelaire's genius anew.
"A fine, formal translation of the best poems of France's founder of the symbolist movement."— St. Louis Post-Dispatch
"It's rare to find a rewarding translation of a masterwork, particularly a collection of groundbreaking poetry. . . . Through Shapiro's skillful wordsmithing, the reader can fully appreciate Baudelaire's control of the soul and the word which is the ancient and indefatigable ambition of all great poets. . . . Shapiro's interpretations set the standard for future English translations."— Virginia Quarterly Review
"A fine, formal translation of the best poems of France's founder of the symbolist movement."— St. Louis Post-Dispatch
"It's rare to find a rewarding translation of a masterwork, particularly a collection of groundbreaking poetry. . . . Through Shapiro's skillful wordsmithing, the reader can fully appreciate Baudelaire's control of the soul and the word which is the ancient and indefatigable ambition of all great poets. . . . Shapiro's interpretations set the standard for future English translations."— Virginia Quarterly Review
248 pages, Paperback
Published March 15, 2000
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About the author
Charles Baudelaire
2,058 books4,258 followersPublic condemned
Les fleurs du mal
(1857), obscene only volume of French writer, translator, and critic Charles Pierre Baudelaire; expanded in 1861, it exerted an enormous influence over later symbolist and modernist poets.
Reputation of Charles Pierre Baudelaire rests primarily on perhaps the most important literary art collection, published in Europe in the 19th century. Similarly, his early experiment Petits poèmes en prose (1868) ( Little Prose Poems ) most succeeded and innovated of the time.
From financial disaster to prosecution for blasphemy, drama and strife filled life of known Baudelaire with highly controversial and often dark tales of Edgar Allan Poe. Long after his death, his name represents depravity and vice. He seemingly speaks directly to the 20th century civilization.
Reputation of Charles Pierre Baudelaire rests primarily on perhaps the most important literary art collection, published in Europe in the 19th century. Similarly, his early experiment Petits poèmes en prose (1868) ( Little Prose Poems ) most succeeded and innovated of the time.
From financial disaster to prosecution for blasphemy, drama and strife filled life of known Baudelaire with highly controversial and often dark tales of Edgar Allan Poe. Long after his death, his name represents depravity and vice. He seemingly speaks directly to the 20th century civilization.
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
December 1, 2018
In this controversial volume, first published in 1857, Charles Baudeliare discourses upon the concepts of accepted beauty. The decadent is displayed alongside the dark, the usually unspoken alongside the societally endorsed. this lays bears all facets of life and shows the reader how no aspect is mutually exclusive once Baudeliare has drawn a relation to its shadowed twin.
August 21, 2011
Baudelaire's poems are like what a 15-year-old would write, if you gave a 15-year-old a bottle of absinthe and a book of Greek myths.
November 13, 2007
Not the best translation and they left out several of the more controversial poems. I love dover thrift and for a couple of bucks they Rock! This however is not a book to but from them. Do yourself a favor and spend a few extra dollars and get a complete copy that is a good translation.
September 3, 2012
Ok, I lied. I've told people the first poet I fell in love with was June Jordan. In reality, it was Charles Baudelaire. I do not remember where I found his poetry. I was in high school, though. I read "Get Drunk" and really loved it for some reason. I have reread it since then, and while I like it, I remember going batshit over it. I looked into his poetry after that but I wasn't super interested and I let it go. He's always been in the back of my mind and when I saw this for fifty cents at the local used book store, I knew I had to have it.
The first thing I really noticed was his language. I'm not sure how to address that, though, since this is a translation. Anyway, good language. We'll leave it at that. I think one of Baudelaire's talents is creating atmosphere. He uses all senses (and is particularly known for evoking smell and taste.) Throughout this selection he creates a very dark atmosphere. We encounter many dead- a dead deer he compares to his girlfriend, murdered (but sexy) women, convicted and hung felons, etc. It is in these graphic poems that Baudelaire performs. He does not rely on his gruesome topics to evoke reaction, but supports them with his word choice. I'm serious. Are you interested in poetry that features maggots and worms? Then you should probably read this. At times the graphic nature is too much-- the first poem glorifies rape, and there is some glorification of murder.
The other poems meditate on how life is one of two things-a bore or a depressed state. While I agree with this sentiment it was not interesting to read the same sentiment about it over and over. He also pities poets often, and that too got old.
There were times this poetry really created a reaction in me- whether being able to relate to his depression, or fear his dark mind- and times I had trouble connecting to it. I think the formality of it and time difference made it a little difficult. Baudelaire does have a good command for form and repetition, it just isn't my style and it lost me at points.
The first thing I really noticed was his language. I'm not sure how to address that, though, since this is a translation. Anyway, good language. We'll leave it at that. I think one of Baudelaire's talents is creating atmosphere. He uses all senses (and is particularly known for evoking smell and taste.) Throughout this selection he creates a very dark atmosphere. We encounter many dead- a dead deer he compares to his girlfriend, murdered (but sexy) women, convicted and hung felons, etc. It is in these graphic poems that Baudelaire performs. He does not rely on his gruesome topics to evoke reaction, but supports them with his word choice. I'm serious. Are you interested in poetry that features maggots and worms? Then you should probably read this. At times the graphic nature is too much-- the first poem glorifies rape, and there is some glorification of murder.
The other poems meditate on how life is one of two things-a bore or a depressed state. While I agree with this sentiment it was not interesting to read the same sentiment about it over and over. He also pities poets often, and that too got old.
There were times this poetry really created a reaction in me- whether being able to relate to his depression, or fear his dark mind- and times I had trouble connecting to it. I think the formality of it and time difference made it a little difficult. Baudelaire does have a good command for form and repetition, it just isn't my style and it lost me at points.
April 23, 2010
I'm a great fan of Baudelaire and his work, and I guess I was doubling up a little when I purchased this book to read, having quite a few works already of his including the squibbed Intimate Journals which reveals some of Baudelaire's more finer observations - However, I have not read in its entirety "Flowers of Evil", I found the selected prose and verse to be ... 'fruitful idleness' which is as dedicated a review I can offer it, and I use that phrase of course because it is one of Baudelaire's phrases and perhaps his most stubborn demon. My favourite pieces, LESBOS and EPIGRAPH FOR A CONDEMNED BOOK, have such rich expressions such as "Throw away this saturnine, Orgiastic and melancholy book".
I enjoyed this read as a taste of further Baudelaire immersions ... aside from Intimate Journals, Paris Spleen and Twenty Prose Poems.
I enjoyed this read as a taste of further Baudelaire immersions ... aside from Intimate Journals, Paris Spleen and Twenty Prose Poems.
July 22, 2009
I can certainly see why the Victorian world was shocked by this book. I love his writing. But in all honesty I do not understand all the poems nor can I wrap my imagination around some of them. Also I need to be in good spirits or the poems would bring me down to the depths of darkness of soul and heaviness of spirit.
A good read
A good read
February 14, 2010
I am biased because this translation of the work of Charles Baudelaire was done by a professor of mine. Great translation though, really captures the true essence of the original French. The etchings, also the work of Wesleyan University professor, are the perfect accompaniment to these poems.
January 16, 2010
One of these days I will speak French Fluently. This book is part of the process. You cannot argue with a master piece. You cannot argue with spilt milk.
Want to read
May 11, 2009i rarely read poems... just have a try...
November 3, 2018
Very inspired and good written.
April 26, 2010
Delightful read and refreshing
April 20, 2012
Baudelaire...that creep can roll.
September 20, 2014
So dark, so funny, at times! Fascinating poems.
June 25, 2014
Admittedly, poetry is a struggle for me. I will be re-reading 'Parisian Dream' and 'The Voyage' from this collection though.
January 13, 2025
Nå snakker vi
Read
August 5, 2025The translator has good proficiency but it doesn't parallel Baudelaire's original, in fact, in many ocasions it soothes Baudelaire's diabolic intensity.
October 26, 2021
“The Flowers of Evil” (1857) is noted in the Forward of this edition to be an interesting contrast to Whitman’s “Leaves of Grass” (1855); whereas Whitman is light, optimistic, and in an enlightened state of love with life, Baudelaire is tormented, pessimistic, and wrapped up in passions. I picture Whitman barefoot under a tree on a sunny day, marveling at the world, while Baudelaire is in a seedy room in the Latin Quarter of Paris, having an evening of debauchery with Sarah, his mistress and a prostitute. Of course Whitman had his fair share of debauchery but it doesn’t color the spirit of his poetry as it does with Baudelaire. In this edition the illustrations are great and add to a feeling of darkness and “edge”; I also like it for having the original French on the pages opposite to the translations.
Quotes:
On beauty:
“- Many a gem lies buried deep,
In darkness, overlooked, asleep,
Far from the pick, and probe, alone.
Many a flower, alas, was meant
To spread the fragrance of its scent
In secret solitude, unknown.”
On breaking up:
“Like drunkard to his gin and wine,
Like hardened gambler to his dice,
Like carrion swill to worms and lice,
- Damn you! Be damned, vile mistress mine!”
On love:
“What will you say, once withered heart of mine;
What will you say tonight, poor soul forlorn,
To her - all sweetness, light - whose glance divine
Suddenly bloomed you back to life, reborn?”
On memories:
“I still recall our little house, out there
Beyond the town, white-painted, with its air
Of calm; and in the patch of greenery,
Trying to hide their plaster nudity,
Pomona and an aging Venus; and,
Streaming, the setting sun, haughty and grand,
Rays breaking on our window, like an eye,
Peering upon us from a curious sky,
And that, flickering taper-like, would cast
Its glint on many a silent, long repast;
On frugal table, set without a frill;
On curtains woven of the plainest twill.”
On perseverance:
“Happy the man - despite the frets, despite
The woes that smother life's dim murkiness -
Who, strong of purpose, flies high, nonetheless,
Off to the calm and peaceful fields of light;
Whose thoughts, in morning flight on lark-like wings,
Rise to the heavens, above the fray, swept free;
- Who understands, aloft, effortlessly,
The speed of flowers and of all silent things!”
On sex:
“When, on our late, hot summer afternoons,
Eyes closed, I breathe your breast's warm, heady scent,
I see a sun, fixed in the firmament,
Shining on dazzling shores: strand, rolling dunes;
One of those lazy, nature-gifted isles,
With luscious fruits, trees strange of leaf and limb,
Men vigorous of body, lithe and slim,
Women with artless glance that awes, beguiles.
Lured by your scent, led on to charming clime,
I come upon a port, all mast and sail,
Battered and buffeted by tide and time;
And all the while green tamarinds exhale
Perfumes that fill my nostrils and my soul,
Blending with sounds of sailors' barcarole.”
Quotes:
On beauty:
“- Many a gem lies buried deep,
In darkness, overlooked, asleep,
Far from the pick, and probe, alone.
Many a flower, alas, was meant
To spread the fragrance of its scent
In secret solitude, unknown.”
On breaking up:
“Like drunkard to his gin and wine,
Like hardened gambler to his dice,
Like carrion swill to worms and lice,
- Damn you! Be damned, vile mistress mine!”
On love:
“What will you say, once withered heart of mine;
What will you say tonight, poor soul forlorn,
To her - all sweetness, light - whose glance divine
Suddenly bloomed you back to life, reborn?”
On memories:
“I still recall our little house, out there
Beyond the town, white-painted, with its air
Of calm; and in the patch of greenery,
Trying to hide their plaster nudity,
Pomona and an aging Venus; and,
Streaming, the setting sun, haughty and grand,
Rays breaking on our window, like an eye,
Peering upon us from a curious sky,
And that, flickering taper-like, would cast
Its glint on many a silent, long repast;
On frugal table, set without a frill;
On curtains woven of the plainest twill.”
On perseverance:
“Happy the man - despite the frets, despite
The woes that smother life's dim murkiness -
Who, strong of purpose, flies high, nonetheless,
Off to the calm and peaceful fields of light;
Whose thoughts, in morning flight on lark-like wings,
Rise to the heavens, above the fray, swept free;
- Who understands, aloft, effortlessly,
The speed of flowers and of all silent things!”
On sex:
“When, on our late, hot summer afternoons,
Eyes closed, I breathe your breast's warm, heady scent,
I see a sun, fixed in the firmament,
Shining on dazzling shores: strand, rolling dunes;
One of those lazy, nature-gifted isles,
With luscious fruits, trees strange of leaf and limb,
Men vigorous of body, lithe and slim,
Women with artless glance that awes, beguiles.
Lured by your scent, led on to charming clime,
I come upon a port, all mast and sail,
Battered and buffeted by tide and time;
And all the while green tamarinds exhale
Perfumes that fill my nostrils and my soul,
Blending with sounds of sailors' barcarole.”
June 7, 2024
Oof. Tough one to review. Lots of thoughts. Lots of questions. Wondering if I should try different translations. Stuff like that. Essentially, I liked this. I thought the translation was actually really great in terms of its stated goal - communicating the form of Baudelaire as well as the tone and the essence. But can you capture all? Or do tone and essence get sacrificed? At the same time, form is very important to Baudelaire...does it work as a free verse? See where I'm thinking that one probably needs to have both versions if one isn't able to read it in French?
Either way, this wasn't instant connection for me like with Rimbaud. But more than worth the effort I put into it. The engravings went hard. Real disturbing.
Either way, this wasn't instant connection for me like with Rimbaud. But more than worth the effort I put into it. The engravings went hard. Real disturbing.
August 27, 2019
5 yıldızdan daha fazla puan verebilsem kesinlikle öyle yapardım.
Charles Baudelaire'in adını daha önce çok duymuştum ve Edgar Allan Poe çevirmeni olduğunu biliyordum. Ancak ilk defa elime bir kitabı geçmiş oldu ve ben okumaya başladım. Bu kitapta Kötülük Çiçekleri kitabından seçme şiirler var. Hepsini çok, çok beğendim.
Kitabın tam metnini de Hasal Ali Yücel serisinden Türkçe çevirisiyle okumayı planlıyorum. Kütüphanemde bu iki versiyon var. Tabii, Baudelaire 'ı biraz özlemek için o versiyonu aradan biraz zaman geçtikten sonra okuyacağım.
"The banal canvas of our pitiful fate,
It is because our soul, alas, is not bold enough." ~ sf 1
- O fool,she cries because she has lived!
And because she is living! But what she deplores
Above all, what makes her tremble to her knees,
Is that tomorrow, alas! she will have to live again!
Tomorrow, the day after tomorrow and forever - as we have to! -sf 12
"To live is a curse. It is a secret known to all." sf 38
Charles Baudelaire'in adını daha önce çok duymuştum ve Edgar Allan Poe çevirmeni olduğunu biliyordum. Ancak ilk defa elime bir kitabı geçmiş oldu ve ben okumaya başladım. Bu kitapta Kötülük Çiçekleri kitabından seçme şiirler var. Hepsini çok, çok beğendim.
Kitabın tam metnini de Hasal Ali Yücel serisinden Türkçe çevirisiyle okumayı planlıyorum. Kütüphanemde bu iki versiyon var. Tabii, Baudelaire 'ı biraz özlemek için o versiyonu aradan biraz zaman geçtikten sonra okuyacağım.
"The banal canvas of our pitiful fate,
It is because our soul, alas, is not bold enough." ~ sf 1
- O fool,she cries because she has lived!
And because she is living! But what she deplores
Above all, what makes her tremble to her knees,
Is that tomorrow, alas! she will have to live again!
Tomorrow, the day after tomorrow and forever - as we have to! -sf 12
"To live is a curse. It is a secret known to all." sf 38
August 3, 2020
i can't remember how this ended up in my stack of books to read, but i'm so glad it did.
the introductory note opens: "The contribution of Charles Baudelaire (1821-1867), not only to French poetry but to modern poetry in general, would be difficult to exaggerate." 49 pages of poetry later, i can already see why.
published in the same decade that, across the Channel, poet laureate Tennyson applies his mastery of rhythm and uniquely Victorian (i.e. neo-Romantic) voice to contemporary events in "The Charge of the Light Brigade" and “Ode on the Death of the Duke of Wellington," Baudelaire's book effortlessly ushers in a more timeless, modernist approach to poetry. in short, he describes the world in concise, complete language, and weaves this with an anguish (and occasional delight) wrenched from the depths of his own soul. i don't even know the language, but i can't wait to read this in French.
the introductory note opens: "The contribution of Charles Baudelaire (1821-1867), not only to French poetry but to modern poetry in general, would be difficult to exaggerate." 49 pages of poetry later, i can already see why.
published in the same decade that, across the Channel, poet laureate Tennyson applies his mastery of rhythm and uniquely Victorian (i.e. neo-Romantic) voice to contemporary events in "The Charge of the Light Brigade" and “Ode on the Death of the Duke of Wellington," Baudelaire's book effortlessly ushers in a more timeless, modernist approach to poetry. in short, he describes the world in concise, complete language, and weaves this with an anguish (and occasional delight) wrenched from the depths of his own soul. i don't even know the language, but i can't wait to read this in French.
July 6, 2019
Outstanding selection of poems, paired with engravings. My only complaint is in the forward, page xix, I would have liked a direct reference to "The rime of the ancient mariner." I felt like the forward was alluding to the British Literature classic, but I feel that a more direct reference would have offered the reader a stronger illustration of the theme of the albatross, while emphasizing the innovation of both poetic styles, from that of the lyrical ballad and modern poetry.
August 1, 2017
Very dark and intriguing. I enjoyed the original version and was greatly helped by the English translation. Some phrases really struck a chord for me and eventually I will look at a more in-depth biography. Also was surprised to hear he helped to translate Poe to French, whose work this reminded me of. Highly recommend to everyone interested in dark themes.
September 25, 2020
I prefer Campbell's, St Vincent Millay's, or Scott's translation to these selected poems.
Fowlie's rhythm and his choice of words are odd and lack the cadence that the three above offer though I do admit the three above also are extremely dramatic in their rendering as well, which Fowlie is less so.
Fowlie's rhythm and his choice of words are odd and lack the cadence that the three above offer though I do admit the three above also are extremely dramatic in their rendering as well, which Fowlie is less so.
March 13, 2019
The kind of poetry people conjure when they think of traditional sentimental morose sappy poetry. Well-executed, but these works are completely ensconced in the time they were written. (This was Baudelaire's mission statement.)
Favorites: Benediction, Man and the Sea, Semper Eadem, The Lid
Favorites: Benediction, Man and the Sea, Semper Eadem, The Lid
November 27, 2018
The synopsis on Apple Books says that it is a series of poems about a lesbian romance. On further reading, it may also be inter-racial as well.
October 11, 2020
Great poet. Very expressive, delves deep into emotional/intelectual world.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews