1985 Yourcenar, Marguerite ORIENTAL TALES Translated from the French by

1985 Yourcenar, Marguerite ORIENTAL TALES Translated from the French by Alberto Manguel NY: Farrar Straus Giroux, c1985 First Edition 147pp 8vo Faint foxing on upper edge of textblock, else fine copy in d/w.

New York. 1985. Farrar Straus Giroux. 1st American Edition. Very Good in

New York. 1985. Farrar Straus Giroux. 1st American Edition. Very Good in Dustjacket. 0374227284. Translated from the French by Alberto Manguel in collaboration with the author. 147 pages. hardcover. Jacket painting by Tao-chi (1641-ca. 1710), from ‘Returning Home. ' Jacket design by Cynthia Krupat. keywords: Europe France Literature Translated Women World Literature. DESCRIPTION-Legends caught in flight, fables, allegories-these ten ORIENTAL TALES form a singular edifice in the work of Marguerite Yourcenar, as precious as a chapel in a vast palace. From China to Greece, from the Balkans to Japan, these TALES take us from a portrait of the painter Wang-Fo, ‘who loves the image of things and not to the things themselves' and whose own work saves him from execution; to legends of a hero betrayed and then rescued by love; to the Indian goddess Kali, who in her unhappiness discovers ‘the emptiness of desire. ' There is violence, murder, betrayal in these tales of love and adventure, and yet an admirable economy in their telling; there are hints of the fantastic and the unexplained. Dream and myth speak here in a language rich in images which imply other, more secret meanings. Marguerite Yourcenar's ORIENTAL TALES follow no established tradition; they have a lyricism and subtlety which are rare in contemporary literature. Their roots, their inspiration is in the East, but this is only the beginning: with the excuse of an Oriental tale, Marguerite Yourcenar has built a world of reflections upon art. ORIENTAL TALES was first published in France in 1938; this is its first appearance in English. inventory #562.

Fine in a Fine dust jacket.; 8vo 8"-9" tall.

Fine in a Fine dust jacket.; 8vo 8"-9" tall.