K. A. Chekalov. Essays on the history and typology of French popular literature in the 19th — early 20th centuries

Abstract

   Since K. Chekalov’s book is a collection of essays dedicated to French popular belles-lettres of the 19th — early 20th cc., it allows for the reading to start from any chapter, yet it pays to read all essays in order to discover this phenomenon of French literature in its entirety. The book discusses both internationally renowned authors (A. Dumas, J. Verne, and E. Sue) and those less known to mass readerships (M. Leblanc, P. Féval, P. du Terrail, and X. de Montépin). The essays are concerned with various creative aspects of the author’s writing, as well as the problem of studying individual genres of popular literature. The monograph supports the thesis about French popular prose that emphasises its predilection for genre experimentation. Also in focus of the book is the reception of the French popular novel in Russia. The author supplies interesting examples of the difficulties encountered by translators of stylistic clichés that characterise popular literature. Written in a lively and engaging language, this book will appeal to scholars and ordinary readers alike.