Rameau's Nephew and First Satire (Oxford World's Classics)

By Denis Diderot

In his brilliant and witty dialogue, Denis Diderot invents a chance encounter in a Paris caf between two acquaintances. Their talk ranges broadly across art, music, education, and the contemporary scene, as the nephew of composer Rameau, amoral and bohemian, alternately shocks and amuses the moral, bourgeois figure of his interlocutor. Exuberant and highly entertaining, the dialogue exposes the corruption of society in Diderot's characteristic philosophical exploration.
The debates of the French Enlightenment speak to us vividly in this sparkling new translation, which also includes the only English translation of First Satire, a related work that provides the context for Rameau's Nephew, Diderot's 'second satire.' Edited by distinguished translator Margaret Mauldon, with lively introduction and notes by Nicholas Cronk, the edition includes, for the first time in English, extracts from Goethe's commentary on this seminal Enlightenment work. It will prove a valuable addition to the library to any lover of French literature.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0192805916
• ISBN13: 9780192805911
• Release Date: November 2006
• Publisher: Oxford University Press
• Length: 176 Pages
• Weight: 0.35 lbs.
• Dimensions: 5.0" x 0.4" x 7.7"

Customer Reviews

No Review's For Rameau's Nephew?

Another book where I am embarrassed to say I only read it because it was in 1001 books to read before you die. Sigh. It does make finding good books super easy! And they're cheap. Rameau's nephew is a good one from Denis Diderot which gives you a sense of French Literature on the rise. Probably the "coolest" (if I can use that word in the nerdiest sense.) Is that Diderot references Tristram Shandy is a recursive way that should delight people 1) Who appreciate "post modern" literature and 2) people who have read both books. I couldn't really say, "Yeah read this book indpendent of Shandy." Because that's kind of the best bit, in my mind. There is also alot of "witty" dialogue- French literature-style.