Writers in Paris: Literary Lives in the City of Light

No city has attracted so much literary talent, launched so many illustrious careers, or produced such a wealth of enduring literature as Paris. From the 15th century through the 20th, poets, novelists, and playwrights, famed for both their work and their lives, were shaped by this enchanting locale. From natives such as Molière, Genet, and Anaïs Nin, to expats like Henry Miller, Samuel Beckett, and Gertrude Stein, author David Burke follows hundreds of writers through Paris's labyrinthine streets, inviting readers on his grand tour. Unique in scope and approach, Writers in Paris crosses from Right Bank to Left and on to the Ile de la Cité as it explores the alleyways and haunts frequented by the world's most storied writers. Burke focuses not only on their writing but on their passions, ecstasies, obsessions, and betrayals. Equally appealing to Francophiles and serious readers, this engaging book includes maps and more than 100 evocative photographs.

Praise for Writers in Paris:

“Burke’s dynamic mapping of this special city illustrates how countless inspired and disillusioned writers from all over the world write Paris in life and in art. Sly, eclectic, yet packed with an utmost humor . . . An enthralling read.” —Cerise Press

“Exhilarating.” —Head Butler

“With maps, descriptions, and more than one hundred photographs, Writers in Paris gives a fresh, fascinating way of looking at the city and its unparalleled role in literature.” —ParisVoice.com

“Staggering.” —The Boston Globe