Cyrano de Bergerac: A Heroic Comedy in Five Acts (Oxford World's Classics) [Paperback]

Edmond Rostand (Author), Christopher Fry (Translator), Nicholas Cronk (Introduction)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 19, 1998 | ISBN-10: 0192836439 | ISBN-13: 978-0192836434

'Tonight When I make my sweeping bow at heaven's gate, One thing I shall still possess, at any rate, Unscathed, something outlasting mortal flesh, And that is ...My panache.' The first English translation of Cyrano de Bergerac, in 1898, introduced the word panache into the English language. This single word summed up Rostand's rejection of the social realism which dominated late nineteenth-century theatre. He wrote his 'heroic comedy', unfashionably, in verse, and set it in the reign of Louis XIII and the Three Musketeers. Based on the life of a little known writer, Rostand's hero has become a figure of theatrical legend: Cyrano, with the nose of a clown and the soul of a poet, is by turns comic and sad, as reckless in love as in war, and never at a loss for words. Audiences immediately took him to their hearts, and since the triumphant opening night in December 1897 - at the height of the Dreyfus Affair - the play has never lost its appeal. The text is accompanied by notes and a full introduction which sets the play in its literary and historical context. Christopher Fry's acclaimed translation into 'chiming couplets' represents the homage of one verse dramatist to another.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Grade 7 Up-In this adaptation of Edmond Rostand's Cyrano de Bergerac, the St. Charles Players, utilizing background music and clear voices, successfully bring Cyrano's story to listeners. The moods of the characters are clearly portrayed through the variation of the actors' voices. Students will easily follow the tale about a man in love with an extraordinarily beautiful woman, Roxanne. Because of his appearance, Cyrano refuses to tell Roxanne of his love and, instead, helps Christian profess his feelings for her. Even after Christian dies in battle, Cyrano can't proclaim his love for Roxanne. The actors' voices are clear, the aural quality is excellent, and background sounds and music carry along the action. Students will enjoy listening to this classic story of love and loss.
Shelley Chick-Gravel, Abbot Public Library, Marblehead, MA
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Audio Cassette edition.

Review

"[ Cyrano de Bergerac is a ] brilliant … unforgettable … impressive achievement … "
— Edmonton Journal

--This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA (November 19, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0192836439
• ISBN-13: 978-0192836434
• Product Dimensions: 7.6 x 5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,800,731 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Romantic, Dashing, Hilarious!, February 19, 2011

By 

J. Blair (USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

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This review is from: Cyrano De Bergerac (Kindle Edition)

This is one of my favorite plays. There's humor, action, and romance. The banter and jokes always make me laugh. The character Cyrano has some fun wordplay -- being a dramatic, wordy, poet and fighter.

The story centers around Cyrano and his secret love for Roxanne. Despite his poetic nature, Cyrano has an abnormally large nose and believes he is unlovable. Cyrano helps another man, Christian, woo Roxanne. The story continues, but I wouldn't want to ruin it for a new reader.

I highly suggest this to anyone that enjoys a good romantic story. It's also a good read for anyone that likes 1800's-early 1900's literature.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A down-to-earth translation of the greatest love story ever!, July 1, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: Cyrano De Bergerac (Paperback)

Anthony Burgess steps out of his psycodelic shell to bring a down to earth translation of the worlds greatest love story. Rostand created a tale true to the human heart filled with romance and poetry, but it took Anthony Burgess to bring the story to the modern reader. There are no 'thee's' or 'thou's' in this adaption, just natural, modern writing. In essence, Burgess did not translate Rostands classic play, he wrote the story over as a poem. Burgess did Rostand the greatest honour, making Cyrano De Bergerac, a wonderfull romance, and beautiful story accessable to modern audiences

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The best translation/adaptation of the Rostand classic, December 16, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: Cyrano De Bergerac (Paperback)

Even if you can appreciate the subtleties of the original French, this translation of the Rostand classic breathes a fresh, exciting perspective into the characters. Shunning a strict translation of the original, Burgess weaves a tapestry of elegant English that conforms to the meter of the original without being dogmatic. The result is a masterful adaptation that makes the play approachable to a wider audience while capturing the longing of unrequited love from the original; go ahead and read your favorite passages aloud to really appreciate the playful use of language.