Maison Metropolitanist

A Modern Metropolitan Literary Salon for the Discerning Reader

Reminiscences of a Conference and the Ubiquity of Baudelaire

July 31, 2019 by Sophia Basaldua-Sun in Charles Baudelaire, French Literature, Literature, Poetry, Urban Literary Studies

I want to set the scene for you. I’ve just completed my talk on a panel at a historical conference on global urbanism on a glorious spring day in Leicester, England. The sun is brightly shining through the conference venue windows, and a small audience is politely listening to myself and another presenter on the subject of Latin American cities, reflective of the way in which Latin American cities often do not receive much attention.

Reading Baudelaire

July 31, 2019 by Sophia Basaldua-Sun in Charles Baudelaire, French Literature, Literature

I am back at the hotel, quietly settled on the chaise lounge, discovering Will Schniz’s translation of “The Swan,” which meticulously captures the concrete reflections on Haussmannization that are so key to why Baudelaire is an important poet. I scribble these lines and others down knowing somehow they will be important for the opening of the maison.

Parisian Modern Life's Poet Par Excellence

July 31, 2019 by Sophia Basaldua-Sun in Library, Literature, Poetry, Urban Literary Studies, French Literature, Charles Baudelaire, Book Recommendations

Today I want to start with some basics, and for readers interested in French literature, flânerie, modernity, Paris, urbanism, fashion, poetry, art, and/or classic works of literature, the above works by Baudelaire are a perfect place to start. Love him, hate him, or re-historicizing him, Baudelaire is one of those authors who acts as a touchstone for the above topics.