Contemporary French Poetry, (Hardcover)

Contemporary French Poetry gathers the voices that redefined verse in early twentieth-century France. Poetry that reshapes the ordinary. Edited by Jethro Bithell, this poetry collection offers a lucid cross-section of modern French verse, from the lingering echoes of symbolism in poetry to the bold experiments that fed European modernist poetry. Bithell's curation emphasises formal daring - musical lines, condensed imagery and new stanza shapes - and the persistent themes of urban life, melancholy and metaphysical inquiry. He arranges voices to reveal contrasts and continuities: whispers of symbolist suggestion set against the sharper rhythms of emerging modernism. The range moves from compact lyrics to more expansive exercises in voice, giving casual readers immediate clarity while serving as poetry for students and a robust primary text for study. The editorial ordering helps readers sense the lineage from the symbolists to later avant-garde voices, so themes and techniques read as conversation rather than isolated experiments. Republished by Alpha Editions in a careful modern edition, this volume preserves the spirit of the original while making it effortless to enjoy today - a heritage title prepared for readers and collectors alike. Beyond individual poems, the anthology maps the shifting course of twentieth century literature in France, showing how symbolism matured into new forms and how the shadow of Charles Baudelaire's influence fed later experiments. As a compact gateway to French literary movements and a useful academic poetry resource for courses exploring European modernist poetry, it rewards both quiet personal reading and shelf display. Its compactness makes it ideal for syllabus readings and for readers who want a representative poetry collection without wading through sprawling histories. For casual readers seeking luminous work and for classic-literature collectors after a meaningful French poets anthology, Bithell's curation remains an elegant, historically minded companion that invites repeated reading and close study. A prized choice for discerning readers.