Customer Reviews

Baudelaire

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Rather than a biography of Baudelaire or a critical examination of his works, this book (actually more like a lengthy essay) is an exhaustive existential psychoanalysis of the poet by Mr. Sarte, based on images from his poems, correspondence with friends and family, his essays on poetry and art... it's kind of a harsh judgement on the guy, actually, stating in no uncertain terms that Baudelaire was an extremely repressed and control-obsessed individual whose greatest creation and greatest failure was his public persona. While reading this, I couldn't help but wonder what the motivation for behind it all was... I can't say I agree with all of his conclusions (even if I did, should it make me enjoy his poetry any more or less?), but it's thought-provoking in the very least.

Over the years I've done a decent amount of reading of Sartre's works. That he's brilliant is an understatement, but I've found him flawed at times. Let me also say that I lived in Paris for a short while and ever since I saw Sartre in a cafe - beret, Le Monde, Gauloises, coffee - I've had an inordinate curiosity about him. I think that in this book he clicks beyond belief. He hits the nail on the head, as far as I'm concerned, in his analysis of Baudelaire.
Baudelaire to me is a giant - his humility in the face of his demons could launch many a study. In a world and at a time where Baudelaire was a freak, nothing less than a Sartre could try to do him justice.

Service was prompt, as promised. Product in good enough condition. I bought it in order to better understand the background of the author's famous poem "Hymn to Beauty." I greatly appreciate Amazon's resources. Thank you!

I thought this book was difficult to get into to but there are sharp questions to hit on throughtout it.