The Philosophes by Charles Palissot

Reviewed by: The Philosophes by Charles Palissot Derek Connon Philosophes. By Palissot. Ed. Jessica Goodman and Olivier Ferret; trans. Goodman, Caitlin Gray, Felicity Gush, Phoebe Jackson, Nina Ludekens, Rosie Rigby, Lorenzo Edwards-Jones. Cambridge: Open Book Publishers. 2021. viii+223 pp. £19.95. ISBN 978–1–78374–908–9. There are two points to be made about this publication before we arrive at the matter of text itself. first is that price quoted above for paperback volume, but, in addition differently priced hardback e-book versions, it can consulted free PDF or XML via publisher’s website. Both have advantage making endnotes play easier consult, but only version preserves correct layout where lines verse split between characters. second not translation a team effort, as clear from details, also, all translators except are, were time work was undertaken, undergraduate students. A final section introduction explains how organized. This collaborative approach extends Goodman’s introduction, which combines original passages with sections translated her Ferret’s his earlier edition (Saint-Étienne: Publications de l’Université Saint-Étienne, 2002). division labour use italics contributions—a useful device, may nevertheless prove confusing anyone who, like reviewer, fails initially read footnote attentively enough. no doubt Les very good play. debt owes Femmes savantes clear, has been accused owing debt. It also commits sin Molière himself guilty particular play, disapproved time, does much more viciously, just satirize character types, launch personal attacks on recognizable individuals, most notably Diderot, Helvétius, Rousseau. asks whether, because quality text, pointless, answers own question: contribution an ongoing literary discussion, succès scandale its right intensified quarrel, considerable historical importance. circumstances gave rise Palissot’s along reactions dealt well informative introduction. [End Page 126] decision translate into blank sensible one: three-act comedy underlines desire present satire serious work, rather than rhymed generally used equivalent contexts English. And, part, handled, occasional archaism introduced aid rhythm helping give sense period. Still, pity line translation, ‘No, I shall never recover shock’, contains extra syllable third foot prevents scanning properly (‘No, get over permitted inversion fourth foot, would work). Since intended performance, contemporary references left unchanged titles remain French, endnotes, often editions, providing explanations, although perhaps optimistic assume someone needing require translations these any other French even notes. includes letter published preface critical notes Voltaire added when he republished it, followed by...