"La Clarte Notre-Dame" and "The Last Book of the Madrigals"

In his 96th and final year, Philippe Jaccottet completed two manuscripts, one in prose and one in poetry, both presented in this volume in John Taylors sensitive translation. "La Clarté Notre-Dame" takes off from the sound of a monastery bell and explores existential and spiritual aspirations, while "The Last Book of Madrigals" explores love and meditates on old age, approaching death, despair, and the persistence of love. Jaccottets "greatest force" was his perpetually renewed desire to head for the light.

Format: Hardback
Length: 104 pages
Publication date: 10 January 2023
Publisher: Seagull Books London Ltd

In his remarkable 96th and final year, supported by the esteemed poet José-Flore Tappy, celebrated Swiss poet Philippe Jaccottet completed two manuscripts, one in prose and one in poetry, both of which are now presented in this volume through the sensitive translation of John Taylor. The first work, "La Clarté Notre-Dame," begins with the captivating sound of a monastery bell, resonating during a walk with friends. This evocative sound serves as a guiding motif, prompting Jaccottet to reflect on a life dedicated to writing, reading, and exploring humankind's existential and spiritual aspirations. He juxtaposes these concerns against his unwavering focus on "the rise of evil in today's world," particularly in Syria. Crafted in a baroque style, the verse poems collected in "The Last Book of Madrigals" delve into the realm of love, taking Jaccottet on a nostalgic journey back to Italy, a country that holds a special place in his heart, symbolizing happiness and sensuality. As he evokes the essence of amorous attraction, he summons the madrigals of Monteverdi and the final poem of Giuseppe Ungaretti, both of which are lesser-known works of Dante. Through his reimagining and commentary on these timeless pieces, Jaccottet engages in profound meditations on aging, approaching death, despair, and the enduring power of love.

While both works confront the darkness head-on, as Tappy notes in her afterword, Jaccottet's greatest strength lies in his unwavering desire, even in the most terrifying of nights, to seek out the light. This unwavering spirit shines through in his final works, leaving a lasting impact on the literary world.

Weight: 250g
Dimension: 135 x 225 x 19 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781803090610