This book presents the third persona of Maurice Chapelan, Ayme Dubois-Jolly, and the four romans galants he published between 1978 and 1983. As its title suggests, the work considers the themes of love and laughter in the novels. Just as l'amour and l'humour have much in common, so do "love" and "laughter". Though the love in question is almost always of the unashamedly erotic kind, often expressed in explicit terms, the whole is redeemed by its many comic elements, usually couched in perfect, elegant prose. Furthermore, we find in Dubois-Jolly's writing more than an occasional nod to the...

This book, prefaced by the French novelist and essayist, Jeanne Cressanges, focuses on Maurice Chapelan's poetry and aphorisms, which are an integral part of his oeuvre.His poems encompass the whole essence of the man, his very heart and soul, whereas the aphorisms express his philosophy. Chapelan is a master of the prose poem-le poeme en prose-a creator of concise poetic pieces full of rich imagery and musicality. His aphorisms, too, are often poetic, and most of his work, in every genre, contains verse and philosophy. Above all, Chapelan was a moralist and a fine practitioner of l'humour...

This work presents Maurice Chapelan in three distinct ways: firstly, as a poet, biographer, literary critic and writer of aphorisms; secondly, as a famous newspaper grammarian; and, thirdly, as the author of romans galants, inspired by his youthful study of his paternal grandfather's rich library of eighteenth-century literature.Although Chapelan died in 1992, many of his books are still in print and he is remembered with affection, admiration and gratitude, especially by those who used to relish his witty Divertissements grammaticaux (formerly Usage et grammaire) every week in Le Figaro...

This book presents the third persona of Maurice Chapelan, Ayme Dubois-Jolly, and the four romans galants he published between 1978 and 1983. As its title suggests, the work considers the themes of love and laughter in the novels. Just as l'amour and l'humour have much in common, so do "love" and "laughter". Though the love in question is almost always of the unashamedly erotic kind, often expressed in explicit terms, the whole is redeemed by its many comic elements, usually couched in perfect, elegant prose. Furthermore, we find in Dubois-Jolly's writing more than an occasional nod to the...

Claude Duneton was a French literary figure of note (1935-2012) and a versatile and prolific writer, whose Parler croquant (1973) first brought him public acclaim. He enjoyed most of all the weekly language articles he wrote for Le Figaro litteraire, from 1994 to 2010, when his life as a writer was cruelly cut short by a severe, disabling stroke.When Claude Duneton succeeded Maurice Chapelan (Aristide) as resident chroniqueur du langage at Le Figaro, he was not without experience in the field, having successfully composed such pieces for the women's magazine Elle during the late 1970s. That...

Is it true that French people enjoy reading grammar articles over their coffee and croissants? Can matters of language really be so interesting and absorbing?For thirty years, Aristide composed his Usage et grammaire and Divertissements grammaticaux for one of France's foremost daily newspapers, Le Figaro. His fans avidly read his weekly chroniques de langue, corresponding with him and asking him questions, which he delighted in answering. His linguistic writings, topical, witty and elegant, are both entertaining and instructive. This book on Aristide's work will be appreciated by lovers of...