Essential Poems and Writings of Robert Desnos [Paperback]

Robert Desnos (Author), Mary Ann Caws (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 15, 2008

Edited with an introduction and extensive essays by Mary Ann Caws. Translators include: Mary Ann Caws, Terry Hale, Martin Sorrell, Bill Zavatsky, Jonathan Eburne, Timothy Ades, Patricia Terry, Katharine Conley, and Paul Auster. This is the most comprehensive anthology of the writings of Robert Desnos to be assembled into the English language. The extensive poetry section is bilingual. Includes poetry, manifestos, novels, cinema writings, and more.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Robert Desnos (1900-1945) was one of the primary poets and writers of the Surrealist movement in France between 1924-1930. He wrote, and collaboratively wrote, many works that have influenced the thought and processes of a number of artistic/literary fields through the twentieth century. Besides poetry, Desnos also wrote film texts and essays on film, novels, criticism, and manifestos. During World War Two he became a poet of the resistance, but was arrested by the Gestapo and spent the remainder of the war in some of the most notorious concentration camps. He dies of Typhoid fever in 1945 as a result of this internment.

Product Details

• Paperback: 418 pages
• Publisher: Commonwealth Books/Black Widow Press (January 15, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0976844990
• ISBN-13: 978-0976844990
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.4 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #362,465 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent compilation! Finally a good one volume Desnos book in English., July 11, 2008

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Surrealsw "SWbookwoman" (Rhode Island) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Essential Poems and Writings of Robert Desnos (Paperback)

This is a very welcome and valuable addition to introduce Anglophone readers to Robert Desnos. Excerpts from novels, film script scenarios,manifestos, an extensive bi-lingual poetry section with various translators, and a very comprehensive essay on Desnos and his importance within Surrealism by Mary Ann Caws help present a well rounded view of Desnos. And it is about time someone has done so. I would also recommend Desnos' two novels published by Atlas Pres, UK (excerpts reprinted in this anthology), and the very good biography of Desnos by Katherine Conley. Desnos was one of the most important contributors to the Surrealist group around Andre Breton during the golden age of Surrealism in the 1920's.