Tab Article

ratings: ★★★★☆ (4.3/5)
Genre: Poetry, Classic Literature, Fables

Book Review:
A fox flattering a crow to drop its cheese. A tortoise winning a race against a boastful hare. An ant scolding a carefree grasshopper. These are stories we all know, stories that have been told for centuries. But in the hands of Jean de La Fontaine, they become something more: witty, elegant, and surprisingly profound poems that capture the essence of human nature.

Jean de La Fontaine's Fables are a cornerstone of French literature, a collection of over two hundred verse tales that have been delighting and instructing readers for more than three hundred years. Drawing on ancient sources like Aesop and the Indian Bidpai, La Fontaine created a world of talking animals that is really a mirror of human society. His creatures are not simple caricatures; they are complex characters with all the foibles, vanities, and wisdom of people.

In one fable, we meet a crafty fox and a stork, each trying to outwit the other. In another, we witness the downfall of a proud lion and the quiet triumph of a humble rat. The fables are by turns comic and tragic, satirical and deeply moving. They explore the timeless themes of power and weakness, greed and generosity, love and death. Each one is a small gem, perfectly crafted to deliver its moral with a smile and a sting.

This Penguin Classics edition, translated by James Michie, is a wonderful introduction to La Fontaine's genius. Michie's translations are lively, readable, and capture the spirit and wit of the originals. The book brings together a selection of the best-loved fables, allowing English-speaking readers to appreciate why La Fontaine is considered a national treasure in France.

Selected Fables is a book to be savored. You can dip into it at random, finding wisdom and entertainment on every page. It is a work of art that fulfills the classical aim of mixing pleasure and instruction, and it remains as fresh and relevant today as it was in the 17th century. Whether you are a lover of poetry, a student of human nature, or simply someone who enjoys a good story, you will find much to love in La Fontaine. As the cover illustration by Jean-Baptiste Oudry suggests, this is a book of timeless beauty and insight. Highly recommended.