The Flowers of Evil

This is a new book. Condition: Brand New.

The celebrated, National Book Award-winning, translation of Baudelaire's masterpiece.

'It is the English edition to acquire.' Washington Post

Pulitzer Prize winning poet and translator, Richard Howard, gives readers the true voice of Baudelaire in this masterful translation. Charles Baudelaire's 1857 masterwork was scandalous in its day for its portrayals of sex, same-sex love, death, the corrupting and oppressive power of the modern city and lost innocence, Les Fleurs Du Mal (The Flowers of Evil) remains powerful and relevant for our time.

In 'Spleen et ideal', Baudelaire dramatises the erotic cycle of ecstasy and anguish of sexual and romantic love.

'Tableaux Parisiens' condemns the crushing effects of urban planning on a city's soul and praises the city's anti-heroes including the deranged and derelict.

'Le Vin' centres on the search for oblivion in drink and drugs. The many kinds of love that lie outside traditional morality is the focus of 'Fleurs du Mal' while rebellion is at the heart of 'Revolte'.

'Howard's achievement is such that we can be confident that his Flowers of Evil will long stand as definitive, a superb guide to France's greatest poet.' The Nation

Book details and technical specifications

Format: Paperback / softback
ISBN13: 9781567928273
Published: June 2025

Number of pages: 184
Width: 152 mm
Height: 229 mm
Depth: 15 mm

Publisher: Verba Mundi