Arthur Rimbaud Book order

The book explores the life and legacy of Arthur Rimbaud, a prodigious poet whose innovative and surreal work, particularly A Season in Hell, transformed modern poetry. Known for his bohemian lifestyle and intense creativity, Rimbaud's brilliance was tragically short-lived, as he passed away at 37. This collection of his poems and essays serves as a tribute to his enduring influence and artistic exploration, capturing the essence of a figure described as both a "divine brat" and a genius who pushed the boundaries of expression.

The book presents a new translation of Arthur Rimbaud's groundbreaking poetic work from 1873, capturing his intense emotions and visionary language that have influenced generations of poets. It explores Rimbaud's tumultuous youth, his escape from provincial life to the streets of Paris, and his eventual renunciation of poetry for a mundane existence in Aden. With the original French text alongside the translation, this edition includes an introduction, bibliography, and illustrations, highlighting Rimbaud's enduring legacy as a revolutionary figure in poetry.

Exploring themes of love, rebellion, and existential despair, this collection features Arthur Rimbaud's "A Season in Hell," a prose poem reflecting on his tumultuous relationship with Paul Verlaine. It includes "The Drunken Boat," a vivid narrative of loss at sea, and "Illuminations," a celebrated series of forty-two prose poems. Rimbaud's innovative style and profound insights have earned him recognition as a pivotal figure in modern symbolism, as noted by Albert Camus. This edition is printed on premium acid-free paper and showcases translations by notable scholars.

Featuring eighty-six prose pieces from sixty-one authors, this anthology offers a comprehensive exploration of Decadence and Symbolism. It includes works from renowned figures like Rimbaud and Baudelaire, alongside lesser-known writers whose texts are presented in English for the first time. The collection traces the movements' evolution, highlighting both prominent and emerging voices within this rich literary tradition.

The prose poem explores Arthur Rimbaud's tumultuous relationship with fellow poet Paul Verlaine, marked by a passionate yet destructive affair that ended violently. It is celebrated as a pioneering work of modern symbolism, featuring "The Drunken Boat," which vividly depicts a sinking vessel. This collection also includes selections from Rimbaud's "Illuminations," showcasing his remarkable talent developed between ages seventeen and twenty, before he chose to abandon poetry for a more conventional life, reflecting on the impact of his reckless lifestyle.

Exploring the vibrant and revolutionary work of Arthur Rimbaud, this collection showcases selected poems that capture his innovative style and profound themes. Rimbaud's writing reflects a deep emotional intensity and a quest for freedom, often blurring the lines between reality and imagination. The poems delve into topics such as love, nature, and the human experience, revealing his unique perspective as a young literary genius. This anthology invites readers to experience the raw beauty and transformative power of Rimbaud's poetry.

A reissue of Rimbaud's highly influential work, with a new preface by Patti Smith and the original 1945 New Directions cover design by Alvin lustig.

Translated, edited and with an Introduction by Wyatt Mason “The definitive translation for our time.” –Edward Hirsch From Dante’s Inferno to Sartre’s No Exit, writers have been fascinated by visions of damnation. Within that rich literature of suffering, Arthur Rimbaud’s A Season in Hell–written when the poet was nineteen–provides an astonishing example of the grapple with self. As a companion to Rimbaud’s journey, readers could have no better guide than Wyatt Mason. One of our most talented young translators and critics, Mason’s new version of A Season in Hell renders the music and mystery of Rimbaud’s tale of Hell on Earth with exceptional finesse and power. This bilingual edition includes maps, a helpful chronology of Rimbaud’s life, and the unfinished suite of prose poems, Illuminations. With A Season in Hell, they cement Rimbaud’s reputation as one of the foremost, and most influential, writers in French literature.

Retaining the first edition's literal and respectful translations of Rimbaud's complex and nontraditional verse - after correcting errors and reordering poems - this edition also contains a foreword that considers the heritage of the first edition and adds a bibliography that acknowledges relevant books.