In ’One of Cleopatra’s Nights and Other Fantastic Romances, ’ Théophile Gautier crafts a collection of tales that intricately weave the fantastical with historical narratives, showcasing his exquisite command of Romantic prose. The stories plunge readers into exotic locales and vivid imaginations, reflecting Gautier’s fascination with beauty, sensuality, and the enigmatic allure of the Orient. Each narrative is marked by lush descriptions and a dreamlike quality, inviting contemplation on the thresholds of reality and fantasy, emphasizing the Romantic ideals of individuality and emotional expression prevalent in 19th-century literature. Théophile Gautier (1811-1872), a prominent figure in the French literary scene, was deeply influenced by the artistic movements of his time, particularly Romanticism and its emphasis on emotional depth and aesthetic beauty. His extensive travels across Europe and his passion for the exotic transformed his writing into an exploration of the otherworldly. Gautier’s friendships with contemporaries such as Hugo and Dumas helped shape his literary voice, immersing him in rich cultural dialogues that would inform works like this collection. For readers seeking an elegant escape into a tapestry of reverie and romance, ’One of Cleopatra’s Nights’ is a must-read. Gautier’s masterful prose not only enchants but also provokes thought about the nuances of love, art, and the human condition, making this collection an essential addition to any literary enthusiast’s library.
Om författaren
Théophile Gautier (1811–1872) was a prolific French poet, dramatist, novelist, journalist, and art and literary critic. He is often remembered for his principle of ’art for art’s sake, ’ which suggests that the intrinsic value of art, and the only ’true’ art, is divorced from any didactic, moral, or utilitarian function. Gautier’s literary style is characterized by his vivid imagination, sensuousness, and an appreciation for the exotic and beautiful, all of which can be seen in his collection of short stories ’One of Cleopatra’s Nights and Other Fantastic Romances’ (originally ’Une nuit de Cléopâtre et autres nouvelles fantastiques’). Within this collection, readers find a showcase of Gautier’s narrative flair, ornamented prose, and fascination with the ancient world and supernatural elements. His writing not only exemplifies the Romantic aesthetic—the elevation of passion, nature, and the sublime—but also foreshadows Symbolist and Decadent literary movements with its emphasis on aestheticism and detachment from the bourgeois society. Although not as well known today as some of his contemporaries, Gautier’s work remains influential; it reveals the transition in French literature from Romanticism to Modernism and continues to captivate readers with its opulent detail and imaginative vibrancy.
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