The Poems of Francois Villon [Paperback]

Francois Villon (Author), Galway Kinnell (Translator, Contributor)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 15, 1982

This bilingual edition of the 15th-century poet's work incorporates recent scholarship.

Editorial Reviews

Language Notes

Text: English, French

From the Publisher

5 1/2 x 8 1/2 trim. LC 81-71907

Product Details

• Paperback: 270 pages
• Publisher: UPNE (June 15, 1982)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0874512360
• ISBN-13: 978-0874512366
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.8 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #620,974 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

30 of 35 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Villon, April 13, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: The Poems of Francois Villon (Paperback)

I have always found Villon to be one of the most overlooked poets in history. In fact, it is likely that the casual reader would have heard only one line of his: "But where are the snows of yester-year?" There is more to Villon, however, than that. I have yet to decide if his life or his writings is more interesting. Breaking many rules of poetry, such as in "III - Ballade (of Small Talk)" in which all but one line starts with "I know," Villon broke as many rules in life. In 1455 he killed a priest and fled the country, where he was charged in multiple robberies, imprisoned, and condemned to be hanged. Mostly because the charges of murder were dropped in the name of self-defense, he was merely banished, whereafter history never sees him again. His way of living was his way of writing: he held nothing back. This earned him the title of "the Vagabond King," while inspiring such lines as "I know all, save myself." The lines I find most striking are from "The Testament" in which Villon is looking for "those laughing comrades that I was with in former days," only to find that "Some are dead and stiff--/nothing now remains of them;/may they find peace in Paradise,/and may God save the rest."

2 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Bi-Lingual Edition of Villon Poems, October 28, 2009

By 

Barry K. Benson "poet" (Des Moines, Iowa USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Poems of Francois Villon (Paperback)

This collection of the poems of Francois Villon was just what I wanted and at an excellent price!
the book is in excellent condition even though it's a 1965 edition. I'm very pleased.
-- Barry Benson (poet)