Literature
VIVIEN, Renée.
Po'emes en prose.
E. Sansot, Paris, 1909. First edition. 12mo. Uncut copy. Original selfwrappers printed in gold and dark blue, slight overall dust-soiling. A near fine copy.
Born in London in 1877 Renée Vivien's real name was Pauline Mary Tarn. Until the death of her father at the age of 9 she lived in Paris and after a tumultuous upbringing would return at the age of 21, changing her name to mark her rebirth on the one hand, and gender ambiguity on the other. Vivien always wrote in French and in Paris she became part of a literary and artistic circle which included Colette and expatriates such as Natalie Barney. In this climate lesbian relationships could be openly explored and written about. Although she very much developed her own style, Vivien's writings were influenced by Sappho, Louys' Songs of Bilitis, Baudelaire and Verlaine. Between 1901 and 1909, Renée wrote fourteen volumes of poetry, three volumes of stories, and two novels. She died at the age of 32 from anorexia and alcoholism.
Price: £ 200
US Dollar Price: $ 290
Stock Number: 46569