[Pocket Edition] World Classics Library - The Last Lesson

Author: (French) Alphonse Daudet
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-09-01
Features: "The Last Lesson" is a collection of three significant works by the 19th-century French Realist writer Alphonse Daudet, including the short story collection Monday Tales, the prose and story collection Letters from a Miller, and the novel Fran?oise and Crépin. With exquisite brushwork and clever composition, the works depict the sincerity, integrity, kindness, and resilience of people living in the lower strata of French society, portray the picturesque landscapes of southern France, reflect the deep patriotic sentiments of the French people, and embody the author's ultimate humanistic concern and masterful artistic craftsmanship. Daudet is one of the great masters of modern French literature. In this work (The Last Lesson), he writes in the voice of a primary school student in the department of Arèche, depicting the tragedy of territorial cession to incite the patriotic spirit of the French people. This short story is truly superior in its execution. —Hu Shih
He (Daudet) has a calm and natural style that is very appealing. His tone is rich in emotion and charm, yet restrained and gentle, without being overly flashy. After listening to too much loud and aggressive noise, this is no less than an oasis that brings some tranquility to the spirit. —Liu Mingjiu
Daudet's style is that of a master storyteller—light, flexible, and fluid. Sometimes, a gesture or a smile from the narrator is enough to bring the story to life. —Franz (French)