Pre-revolutionary Paris comes to life in this fascinating story surrounding the correspondence between two colorful and witty society figures: the French author Louise d'Épinay and the Italian priest-diplomat Ferdinando Galiani. Their friends included Voltaire, Diderot, Melchior Grimm, and the famous women of the salons, and their letters touched upon everything from social gossip to issues of education and politics. Francis Steegmuller's book is at once a unique history and a charming account of friendship sustained in a turbulent age.
Originally published in 1993.
The Princeton Legacy Library uses the latest print-on-demand technology to again make available previously out-of-print books from the distinguished backlist of Princeton University Press. These paperback editions preserve the original texts of these important books while presenting them in durable paperback editions. The goal of the Princeton Legacy Library is to vastly increase access to the rich scholarly heritage found in the thousands of books published by Princeton University Press since its founding in 1905.
". . . the story of a warm friendship . . . put together with expert skill, urbanity, and insight."--Victor Brombert, The New York Times Book Review
"The book's great gift is the vision it offers of social life [and] the chance it provides to read these delightful letters and to hear these engaging, long-silent voices."--Francine Prose, Newsday
"A biographical jewel in an exquisite worldly setting. . . . Steegmuller's book delights the heart and mind. He has created a miniature masterpiece."--Leon Edel
Hakaiju 04
Deadman Wonderland 02
El Afinador
Curiosity Shop 02