Paris as Revolution: Writing the Nineteenth-Century City

In nineteenth-century Paris, the revolution served as a metaphor for writers to understand and portray the city, and Priscilla Ferguson's book explores how the city and revolution intersected in French literature. She argues that the novels of Flaubert, Hugo, Vallès, and Zola are revolutionary performances that challenged the modernizing city while also documenting its emergence.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 276 pages
Publication date: 15 July 2022
Publisher: University of California Press

In the vibrant city of Paris during the 19th century, a fervent fascination with revolution transformed it into a captivating subject of cultural speculation. For writers navigating a tumultuous past and an uncertain future, the revolution served as a masterful metaphor, allowing them to comprehend and portray the city in profound ways. In her captivating book, "Paris as Revolution," Priscilla Ferguson delves into the originality and modernity of 19th-century French literature by exploring the intricate relationship between the city and the revolutionary era. This cultural geography examines the 19th-century city not solely through literary works but also through a wide range of urban icons and narratives. Ferguson skillfully weaves together literary and cultural history, as well as semiotic and sociological analysis, to highlight the movement and change that fueled the powerful narratives that defined the century, the city, and their literature. Through her meticulous examination of guidebooks by authors such as Mercier, Hugo, Vallès, and others, alongside the novels of Flaubert, Hugo, Vallès, and Zola, Ferguson reveals that these works themselves are revolutionary performances. They challenge the modernizing city while simultaneously capturing its emergence. This title is proudly part of UC Press' Voices Revived program, a testament to the university press's commitment to seeking out and nurturing the brightest minds, providing them with a platform to express their ideas, reach a wider audience, and make a lasting impact. Drawing from a rich backlist dating back to 1893, Voices Revived employs print-on-demand technology to make high-quality, peer-reviewed scholarship accessible once again. Originally published in 1994, this title continues to resonate with readers, offering a fresh perspective on the rich cultural heritage of 19th-century Paris.

Weight: 408g
Dimension: 229 x 152 x 15 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780520322998