La Fontaine July 3, 2008

La Fontaine is still the most often quoted French writer. His Fables are an integral part of French culture, repeatedly rewritten and reinterpreted in dance, music and the visual arts. They are equally remarkable for their formal perfection and for the understanding of human nature embodied in them.

Gordon Pirie (1936-84) was for some years head of the English department at Winchester College, where he also taught French and Russian. Later, he began to translate the fables of Lafontaine and his equally great Russian successor, Ivan Krylov. His translations are remarkable for their vivid detail, their wit and their lyric grace.

Robert Chandler, Robin Leanse, Nanda Pirie and others will read from Gordon Pirie’s translations and answer questions about them.

Tickets: £6 (discount for LRB subscribers - contact the shop for details)

Book online at http://www.lrbshop.co.uk/events

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