All beauties, like all possible phenomena, have something of the eternal and something of the ephemeral—of the absolute and the particular – Charles Baudelaire
Charles Baudelaire’s poetry has bestowed iconic status on the Frenchman in all corners of the world. Today he is celebrated as the father of modern French poetry and his works have influenced and been praised by a multitude of figures; from Marcel Proust to T.S. Elliot and even The Cure. Yet the lyrics and works of Charles Baudelaire bestowed immortality on more than just himself.
The muse has long been a celebrated figure in a multitude of societies and cultures. In ancient Greece these inspirational figures were embodied by the nine daughters of Zeus and Mnemosyne. In 19th century France Baudelaire discovered his ‘mistress of mistresses’ and main muse in a Haitian born Creole woman named Jean Duval.
A barely literate alcoholic with a fierce love of opium Duval launched herself at Parisian society when she arrived in France. Though she captivated many eyes besides Baudelaire’s it was his works more than any other that would preserve Duval’s legacy. She was, however, was more than an inspiring subject for Baudelaire; she was his muse. Duval drove Baudelaire to the brink of bankruptcy, strained his personal and professional relationships, slept with his friends, and almost surely contributed to his early death at 46 years of age.
Baudelaire christened Duval his ‘Vénus Noire’. Author and journalist James MacManus has used this title for his new book on the relationship between the great French poet and the woman who inspired and destroyed him. Join Susan and James as they journey back to 19th century France and the artistic revolution gripping the nation. Venture along the boulevards of decadent Paris as ‘Talking Books’ traces Baudelaire’s relationship with Duval through the pages of MacManus’ ‘Black Venus’.
'Baudelaire's Mistress, Reclining' by Édouard Manet, 1862
Cúirt International Festival of Literature, 2014
In 1986 Galway played host to a festival celebrating poets and poetry. The festival gathered momentum year after year, building its reputation and broadening its scope to include all elements of literature. Today the annual Cúirt International Festival of Literature is one of the main events on Ireland’s literary calendar. Each year sees readers and authors from around the world converge on Galway to join in these celebrations of great writing.
Susan was amongst the attendants at this year’s Cúirt Festival where she enjoyed the myriad of events and spoke with some of the writers in attendance. Join ‘Talking Books’ as Susan looks back on her time in the wonderful city of Galway and the conversations she had with authors Joanne Harris, Rachel Kushner, and Harry Clifton.
A well established journalist, Rachel Kushner made her fictional debut in 2008 with ‘Telex from Cuba’. Telling the tale of the American community in Cuba in the lead up to Castro’s revolution ‘Telex from Cuba’ was well received and established Kushner as a name in literature. Kushner’s second novel, ‘The Flamethrowers’, secured her status as an accomplished author when it was met by critical praise and commercial success.
This book tells the tale of Reno, a young artist obsessed with motorbikes and speed, as she strives to live and establish herself as an artist in New York City in the 1970s. Both of Kushner’s novels have received numerous awards and she is the only author to date to be nominated for a National Book Award for both their first and second novels. Opening the second hour of this week’s ‘Talking Books’, Kushner talks with Susan about her life, her youth, her lifelong passion for reading and books, and the art of writing.
The Cúirt Festival’s roots lie in poetry and this lyrical art remains a core part of the celebrations. Susan was fortunate enough to catch up with world traveller and Irish poet Harry Clifton; who was down in Cúirt for the launch of his poetry retrospective, ‘The Holding Centre; selected poems from 1974-2004’. Celebrated around the world for his work Harry was most recently honoured with his appointment as Ireland Professor of Poetry from 2010-2013. Join Harry and Susan this Sunday as they revisit the importance of poetry and the silence it can bring in today’s noisy world.
Joanne Harris is best known as the author of ‘Chocolat’; the mouth-watering read that delves into the world of pleasure and sin. The novel follows the free spirited French chocolatier, Vianne Rocher, through her quest to open a shop the senses of the people in a small rural town during lent. Made into the Oscar nominated movie of the same name in 2000 ‘Chocolat’ cemented Harris’ reputation as a writer and she has produced a number of notable works since.
Harris’ latest book, ‘The Gospel of Loki’, diverges quite a bit from her usual themes with its focus on Norse mythology. Susan was lucky enough to catch up with Joanne down in Galway. Listen back as Susan and Joanne finish up this week’s ‘Talking Books’ with talk of food, travel, writing, and lies.
