La Princesse de Clèves by Lafayette: A New Translation and Bilingual Pedagogical Edition for the Digital Age by Hélène E. Bilis et al (review)

Abstract

Reviewed by: La Princesse de Clèves by Lafayette: A New Translation and Bilingual Pedagogical Edition for the Digital Age by Hélène E. Bilis et al Florin Beschea Bilis, Hélène E., Jean-Vincent Blanchard, David Harrison, and Hélène Visentin. La Princesse de Clèves by Lafayette: A New Translation and Bilingual Pedagogical Edition for the Digital Age, 2022, Lever, Open access. ISBN: 978-1-64315-038-3. This publication will provide exquisite digital mining, endless exploration, and discovery for specialists in premodern French literature. Moreover, this text will be very useful for teaching-centric academics who highly value student accessibility in all the meanings of the word. Simply, when considering teaching this novel, adopting the Bilis et. al 2022 edition of La Princesse de Clèves is a must. There are two mediums available for the text, one written and one audio (both French and English versions), that include visual, cartographic, historic, linguistic, and artistic interactive components. This edition specifically combines all these modules to achieve two industry leading strengths: (1) bilingualism and (2) increased accessibility. The text of the novel itself is found in a side-by-side bilingual version from location 29 to 418 (of 808 locations of the entire digital dossier). The instructor can choose only French or only English versions of the text. The text is read in both French and English, which also speaks to the remarkable accessibility of this edition. The French version is divided into four parts, and the English version is just one audio file. There are also video recordings of different participants discussing questions related to subjects such as issues of translating the text into English, or the place of the novel and its importance in literary production, in contemporary literature, and even social and political issues. This edition of Clèves is free, which is one of the more important accessibility aspects. Also, when browsing the written text of the novel, in both English and French, vocabulary definitions, along with historical explanations of characters and events present in the novel, are linked to a readily available database by the click of a button. Furthermore, maps are added to the collection of paratext. A digital “carte de tendre” and its analysis are available, as well as an enlargeable map of France containing topographical and historical information on the 16th and 17th centuries, along with visual traces of characters’ travels. These components provide unprecedented visual information. Students can easily move from one cartographical place to the next to find data and resources for relevant projects, including using the embedded extension, Hyperbole. It grants space for comments and annotations, both private and public, which, in a classroom context, allows for class discussion on the margins of the text. There are many things to discover, but [End Page 177] all in all, this bilingual version of La Princesse de Clèves is one of the most resourceful and accessible versions I have had the pleasure of reading. [End Page 178] Florin Beschea Davidson College (NC) Copyright © 2023 American Association of Teachers of French