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Loading... Voyages to the Moon and the Sun (original 1991; edition 2018)by Cyrano de Bergerac
Work InformationVoyages to the Moon and the Sun by Cyrano de Bergerac (1991)
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Sign up for LibraryThing to find out whether you'll like this book. No current Talk conversations about this book. A hodgepodgy book in which Cyrano appears to be experimenting with or mocking several different styles, as well as lecturing on or mocking a variety of scientific and religious ideas. Apart from the fun of recognizing things which Rostand referenced in writing his play, it is most fun as a sampling of ideas from its time and for its hints of Gulliver's Travels which was certainly influenced by it. By the time I finished reading I had stopped hearing it in Jose Ferrer's voice. When I remember these stories were penned almost 400 years ago, it makes me appreciate their ideas and early science fiction. Every page delivers evidence of a fantasic imagination. Ideas which must have pushed the boundaries of accepted theory. I must admit that sometimes I did not follow Cyrano's dialogue, but I am glad I have read it and can identify with many tales that have followed from it, from Lilliput to Dr Who's tardis, and "talking books". no reviews | add a review
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Cyrano's (the real guy) greatest work, model for much of Gulliver's Travels, Munchausen and so many other fantasy books. First published in the 17th Century (Paris, of course), this elegant satire takes its hero into the solar system, where he then can freely speak on matters of sex, religion and humanity. Join the big guy as he wanders about the solar system, meeting up with Beast-Men, the Solen people, and a rep from the Kingdom of Love. No library descriptions found. |
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Google Books — Loading... GenresMelvil Decimal System (DDC)843.4Literature French French fiction Classic period 1600–1715LC ClassificationRatingAverage:
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I loved the way Cyrano incorporated classical myths, biblical figures, scientific and philosophical ideas. Indeed, Descartes has the last word in the novel; and Cyrano's depiction of Earthrise as seen from the moon is inspiring.
Much of the narrative is in the form of discourses between the hero and the beings he meets, and yet the plot follows a smooth transition from the earth, to the moon, to the earth, to the sun.
I was pleased to read somewhere that this is Quentin Blake's favourite story he has illustrated. I would have liked to find some of teh illustrations in colour, but these are all in B&W. ( )