Reviews for French Renascence

The average rating for French Renascence based on 2 reviews is 4.5 stars.

Review # 1 was written on 2008-02-28 00:00:00 Clairette Simard First of all, I haven't read one bad Reaktion Press - Critical Lives book. And this little biography on Jean Cocteau is superb like the others in the series. What makes this book so special is that it comments on Cocteau's work in literature and film (which I feel he's a master of that medium) with insightful commentary - but also doesn't ignore the personal life of Cocteau as well. Basically a Gay man who lived his life out front during the early 20th Century and had to deal with the sometimes harsh world of the Avant-Garde (The Surrealists) of the time. Although a wonderful 'Jack-of-all-Trades' artist, he was also a publicity addict. Well-connected and wanted to stay well-connected no matter what - even with relationships with certain individuals in the Nazi Party, Cocteau would have been very comfortable in today's world of media overload. in many ways he was sort of the first Andy Warhol of his culture and time period. Anyone who has even the slightest interest in early 20th Century arts should go out and by this book. As well as the Erik Satie, Georges Bataille, Charles Bauldelaire, Picasso, and Duchamp in this really great series of books.

Review # 2 was written on 2017-12-04 00:00:00 Frank Edvard Schjelderup If you're looking for a comprehensive book on Cocteau, from his early life and early works to his later life and works, this book is nearly perfect. Two complaints: the book slips into scornfulness at times, and, secondly, doesn't quite understand how and why addiction to opium happens. However, other than that, this is a must-have book for anyone interested in Cocteau or looking for a resource book on the author for a school project.