New Releases by Jean de la Fontaine

In ''A Hundred Fables of La Fontaine'', readers are treated to a rich tapestry of moral tales elegantly woven by Jean de La Fontaine, whose work remains a cornerstone of French literature. This collection, expertly curated by DigiCat Publishing, encapsulates the timeless wisdom and wit that have made La Fontaine''s fables an integral part of cultural discourse. The literary style is characteristic of the golden age of French fable, with each piece delivering its unique blend of entertainment and edification through the anthropomorphic antics of its characters. The echo of Aesop is clear yet distinctly transformed through La Fontaine''s poetic finesse and the distinct cultural milieu of 17th-century France. Jean de La Fontaine, a poet and fabulist of remarkable repute, was deeply influenced by the classical fables of antiquity, yet imbued his work with a distinctly modern sensibility that has captured the imagination of readers for centuries. His ability to distill complex human behaviors and societal norms into concise, engaging stories is a testament to his profound understanding of both literature and the human condition. This edition''s thoughtful reproduction by DigiCat Publishing underscores the enduring significance of La Fontaine''s legacy, bringing the sharp insight and moral complexity of his fables to a new generation of readers. ''A Hundred Fables of La Fontaine'' is an essential collection for anyone interested in the intersection of literature, philosophy, and cultural history. The practical morals, couched in charming verse, make this work suitable for a diverse readership, from the casual lover of poetry to the serious student of classical literature. DigiCat''s commitment to preserving and presenting such works with the respect they deserve ensures that this edition will not only delight and instruct but also serve as a cherished volume within any literary connoisseur''s library.

The Fables of La Fontaine Jean de la Fontaine - The Fables by Jean de La Fontaine are considered classics of French literature. Collecting fables from a variety of sources, La Fontaine then adapted them into verse. Consisting of twelve books and 239 fables in all, these were originally aimed at adults, but have since been taught to children as a way to educate them in morals. At times they have been mixed in with the fables of Aesop. The sources for the fables are wide-ranging, from Aesop to Boccaccio, from Babrius to Machiavelli - even drawing at times from ancient Indian collections of tales.

This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact, and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore, you will see the original copyright references, library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world), and other notations in the work. This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.As a reproduction of a historical artifact, this work may contain missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.

This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact, and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore, you will see the original copyright references, library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world), and other notations in the work. This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.As a reproduction of a historical artifact, this work may contain missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.

This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact, and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore, you will see the original copyright references, library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world), and other notations in the work. This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.As a reproduction of a historical artifact, this work may contain missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.

La Fontaine''s witty and sophisticated animal fables are among the greatest poetic works in French. Christopher Betts''s new translations match the inventiveness of the original. This generous selection, including half of the originals, is accompanied by superb illustrations by Gustave Doré, a contextualizing introduction and other features.

Despite la Fontaine''s claim that all he intended was to put the moral tales of Aesop and other ancient fabulists into poetry for the pleasure of Louis XIV''s young son, his real accomplishment, as later generations have understood, was holding a mirror up to the society of his day and, in the process, fashioning a work that has become a classic. Borrowing from a variety of sources, la Fontaine gave the hitherto mute animals in ancient fables the power of speech. Backstabbing politicians, brainless nincompoops, charlatans, clueless heads of state, egomaniacs, empty-headed celebrities, foolish investors, gluttons, liars, penny-pinchers, self-important blowhards, and wastrels -- these are the targets of la Fontaine''s pen.