The Enchanted Hand and Other Works

Gérard de Nerval (1808-1855) was the nom-de-plume of Gérard Labrunie a French romantic poet, essayist and translator. He was a leading figure in the romantic movement and a precussor of the symbolists and surrealists. He travelled widely in the Orient and viewed dreams as a means of communication between the real world and the spirit world. From 1841 onwards he sufferd from a series of mental breakdowns. It was during this period that he produced some of his best writing. His works greatly influenced André Breton, Marcel Proust, René Duhamel and Antonin Artaud. His translation of Goethe's 'Faust' was highly praised by the author whose preferred translator he was. His major works are the collection of poems 'les Chimères', 'Voyage en Orient' and 'Sylvie', considered by Marcel Proust and Umberto Eco to be a masterpiece. The writings in this selection, which include his masterpiece 'Sylvie', provide an ideal introduction to his work.