Synopsis

Paul Verlaine, living in 19th century Paris, led an extraordinarily adventurous life. Beset with difficulties with alcohol, his poetry would come to be known as the best of its time. Recently married, Verlaine received a letter from the young Arthur Rimbaud, asking to come to Paris. Verlaine agreed, and so began one of the most fruitful and destructive relationships in world letters. They travelled to London, then on to Brussels. One day, drunk, Verlaine bought a pistol, and after an argument, shot Rimbaud in the wrist.

This book is a poetic exploration addressed to Paul Verlaine. There is some discussion of Verlaine’s life and work, but mostly Verlaine is used as a sounding board to express a myriad of poetic brevities. The work is one of prose poetry. It is part of a series of books Fearne has written on poets living in 19th century France, including Rimbaud, Baudelaire, Mallarme and now Paul Verlaine.

Author Biography

Paul Fearne’s poetry has appeared widely, including, amongst other places, Westerly, Mascara Literary Review, Snorkel, Australian Poetry Journal, Burrow, and Unusual Work.

He holds a PhD from Latrobe University, and a masters from Melbourne University.

His first book was launched at the 2010 Melbourne Writers Festival. At that time he was interviewed on Radio National around Australia.

Fearne has written other books for chipmunka on other 19th century French poets, including Rimbaud, Baudelaire and Mallarme.