The Flowers of Evil / Les Fleurs du Mal: English - French Bilingual Edition: The famous volume of French poetry by Charles Baudelaire in two languages

Expensive for what is quite a slim paperback. There are better translations and the text in this book is laid out like prose and not as Baudelaire presented the poems, making them hard to read with the correct rhythm. Disappointing, the Oxford Classics bi-lingual edition is better and cheaper.

I have truly enjoyed Mr. Scholten's translation of Baudelaire's most famous and revered work of poetry. I believe he brings a fresh look at the poetry, unencumbered with too much literary criticism and overly esoteric interpretations. Rather, Mr. Scholten gives the reader a more 'everyday' translation of Baudelaire, if you will. That is not to say that Baudelaire is an everyday poet. This statement would be blatantly false. Baudelaire was perhaps France's greatest poet. His images are virtually haunting, and never leave the reader's mind when they are well elucidated. The elucidation is what makes Mr. Scholten's book well worth the expense and the time to absorb.There is almost no where in France where a visitor will not see things dedicated to Baudelaire. There are schools and libraries and all types of public and private things dedicated to the greatest of the French literary artists and some believe, France's greatest poet. Baudelaire had a unique outlook on the human condition, much of it steeped in religion, literature, brilliance and especially "Life Experience." The manner in which Baudelaire captures everyday life is unique and virtually unforgettable. Yet, it is truly refreshing to read stanzas constructed by someone who speaks the language very well and yet looks at it from a non-Native perspective. Truly Mr. Scholten's translation has terrific relevance and insight, if not an entire 'ice berg' of perspective that is different than what one would get in scholarly publications. It is highly recommended and beautifully published. A copy of Baudelaire's "Les Fleurs du Mal" the "Flowers or Evil" that Baudelaire saw all around him, as he passed amongst it in his everyday life. Yet, Baudelaire saw a lot about people that other people missed or overlooked or intentionally ignored. In Scholten's translation, there is a good feeling for these things in his English. Do not pass up the opportunity to see his take on this seminal work. It is recommended for those who like poetry and those who can read French for its incredible rendering in the original (which is printed side by side with Scholten's translation in this wonderful publication) as well as Mr. Scholten's translation.