In ‘Vanitas: Polite Stories’, Vernon Lee weaves a tapestry of intricate narratives that explore the ephemeral nature of beauty, art, and existence. Through a collection of tales rich in emotional resonance and aesthetic contemplation, Lee employs a lyrical, almost decadent prose style that invites readers into a world of refined sensibilities and philosophical musings. Set against the backdrop of the late 19th century—a time flourishing with artistic movements and existential inquiry—these stories engage with themes of mortality and the fleetingness of life, characteristic of the literary trend known as ‘vanitas’ in art and literature. Vernon Lee, the pseudonym of the British writer Violet Paget, was a pioneering figure in the exploration of aestheticism and the psychology of art. With a rich educational background in philosophy and literature, Lee’s personal experiences and travels across Europe profoundly influenced her perspective, infusing her work with a deep appreciation for culture and the human experience. Her unique voice often bridges the gap between the supernatural and the psychological, making her insights into the human condition compelling and relevant. ‘Vanitas: Polite Stories’ stands as an essential addition to the libraries of readers engaged with fin-de-siècle literature, art history, and those who appreciate intricate storytelling. With its blend of elegance and profundity, this collection promises to captivate and provoke thought, inviting readers to reflect on the transient beauty of life and art.
Giới thiệu về tác giả
Vernon Lee, the pseudonym of Violet Paget (1856–1935), was a British writer known for her sharp intellect and a prolific body of work that included supernatural fiction, Italian history, and aesthetics. Born to expatriate parents in France, Lee maintained a lifelong connection with Italy, often reflected in her writing. She gained recognition for her incisive essays on art, music, and travel, but it was her contributions to the realm of supernatural and psychological fiction for which she is most remembered. Notably, her collection of tales ‘Vanitas: Polite Stories’ showcases Lee’s distinctive literary style, marked by a blending of erudition with Gothic and Decadent themes. Her works often explored the subtleties of psychological experiences and esoteric scholarship. Lee’s literary output was extensive, reflecting her deep knowledge of European culture and her feminist leanings, as demonstrated in her insistence on professional authorship as a woman in Victorian society. Embraced by the literary circles of her day, Lee’s influence extended beyond literature into the realm of aesthetics, where she advanced the concept of ’empathy’ (Einfühlung), which would later be absorbed into psychological theory. Her work has since been the subject of scholarly examination, lauding her as an under-recognized literary figure whose writing transcends the boundaries between genre fiction and intellectual discourse.
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