The Flowers of Evil, Charles Baudelaire
The Flowers of Evil, Charles Baudelaire
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The Flowers of Evil

Author: Charles Baudelaire, Frank Pearce Sturm

Narrator: Denis Daly

Unabridged: 2 hr 18 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 05/02/2023


Synopsis

Baudelaire’s most famous collection of poems is The Flowers of Evil, which was published in 1857 and which was widely condemned as being unwholesome and decadent. The publication actually led to Baudelaire being prosecuted on a charge of offending public morals.There have been numerous translations of Baudelaire’s work into English, but many of them have been judged as not being particularly successful. Sturm’s version of The Flowers of Evil is unusual and notable for its accuracy in capturing the elusive appeal of the originals.This recording also includes a critical study of the poet by Sturm.

About Charles Baudelaire

Charles Baudelaire (1821–1867) was a French poet and essayist and one of the leading figures in the movement which later became known as Modernism. His output was small, and his work is characterized by an intense subjectivity and an eroticism which was considered scandalous at the time.

About Frank Pearce Sturm

Frank Pearce Sturm (1879–1942) was an English poet and translator, best known today for his translations of Baudelaire. 

About Denis Daly

Denis Daly is an audiobook narrator and codirector of Voices of Today, an Australian spoken word production house.


Reviews

Goodreads review by Kelly on January 18, 2008

After reading Baudelaire, I suddenly find myself wanting to smoke cigarettes and say very cynical things while donning a trendy haircut. Plus, if I didn't read Baudelaire, how could I possibly carry on conversations with pretentious art students? In all seriousness, though, I wish my French was bett......more

Goodreads review by Ulysse on January 28, 2025

Dear Charles, I’m flattered to be your muse, I really am. How many women can say they’ve inspired a genius to write poems about them, poems that will be read and loved hundreds of years from now? You have immortalized me in perfect rhymes, and thanks to you, Charles, I shall always be remembered as a......more

Goodreads review by Leonard on January 29, 2023

Ironie suprême, ce livre, condamné pour immoralité lors de sa parution est désormais le recueil de poésie le plus canonique de toute la littérature française (en témoigne sa présence increvable dans les programmes scolaires). Mais cette ironie, cette apparente ambivalence, cet oxymore de l’histoire......more

Goodreads review by Georgia on August 19, 2023

This is Poe for grownups. Lusty, edgy, and melodically intoxicating. Baudelaire's poems in French are delivered alive, kicking and beautiful as new babes in these English versions from James McGowan's capable hands. I was not surprised to learn this translator is a poet. He has the ear for rhythms.......more