J'aime "Melkam"

[amie-de-rimbaud.livejournal.com]

Bonsoir, citoyens. I just discovered this wonderful community, and it makes me glad to know that you’re all keeping the Revolution alive in your hearts and minds. What began as my favorite unit in 11th grade AP European history has transcended academic interest to become something far more personal. I recently had the opportunity to live and work in France, and it was incredible to revisit some of the old scenes, stand there, and think about the past. Luckily, I was alone, because my friends and family wouldn’t condone such wondering and wallowing over things that had happened 200+ years ago.

At the moment, what is your favorite primary piece of writing? I read Lucile’s journal (Editions des Cendres, 1995) a few weeks ago, which I truly enjoyed. I liked the strange dreams, as well as her short stories. And I love her little codename for Camille (“Melkam”)! Adorable. What an intelligent, sensitive young woman she was.

Also, I’ve been skimming through an English translation of Jules Claretie’s Camille Desmoulins and His Wife:  Passages from the History of the Dantonists, which isn’t a bad read since I like 19th c. literature. However, I’m interested in finding a more recent biography of Camille--do you guys have any suggestions? English or French.

Comments

[livviebway.livejournal.com]

Ahh Lucile's diary is very fun.

An excellent biography, imo, is Jacques Janssens "Camille Desmoulins: Le Premier Republicain de France." It's in French and pretty damn difficult to find... But if you can, it's great. I don't think Camille has had an English language biography since the early 20th century.

[victoriavandal.livejournal.com]

I have a 1980's biography by J-P Bertrand, but I haven't read much of it because my French vocab isn't great and it smells of cigarette smoke, making it rather painful to read - so I really can't judge it yet, which is no help at all to you! I've read the Claretie, which I love, specially all the footnotes and appendix.

[amie-de-rimbaud.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the advice! victoriavandal, is the book you're referring to "Camille et Lucile Desmoulins: un couple dans la tourmente"? I borrowed it while in college, but, alas, never got the chance to read it before I graduated. I'd like to get ahold of it again, as well as the Janssens. And I'll definitely go through the Claretie more slowly. Thanks again!