Emigré New York

Wartime New York serves as a backdrop for a vibrant exploration of French literary figures like Maurice Maeterlinck, Andr Breton, and Claude Lévi-Strauss, highlighting their contributions during a tumultuous period. Jeffrey Mehlman intricately weaves together the stories of these artists against the irony of America's complex relationship with France, particularly its dealings with the collaborationist regime of Pétain over the Free French movement. Through expertly crafted portraits, the book reveals the layered dynamics of cultural exchange and conflict in a city caught between two worlds.