NODIER Charles Mélanges de littérature et de critique.

Clouzot, 226 ; Quérard, VI, 426-427 ; Vicaire, VI, 99.

First edition.

These volumes contain the various articles, reviews and other criticics that Nodier wrote in different newspapers. This collection reflects the Romantic spirit that flourished in the 1820s. Many of Nodier’s works are notable for their romantic themes tinged with folklore and fantasy. Examples include Le peintre de Salzbourg (1803), Jean Sbogar (1818) and Le Vampire, mélodrame (1820). Like other writers of his time, he was fascinated by the figure of the vampire, which he used several times in his works and of which he also wrote a critical history.

In fact, Nodier not only expressed this fantastic vein in his stories, he also built up a solid study of the literature of his time. An entire article on Slavonic literature is reproduced in the Mélanges (volume II, pp.353-371).

This was an opportunity for Nodier to discuss Macpherson’s deception with Ossian and to contrast it with Illyrian literature: ‘all impressions are profound, and all pleasures are true’.

These two volumes were not subsequently included in Nodier’s complete works.

A magnificent copy, the boards of which are decorated with the cipher of Amélie de Leuchtenberg (1812 -1873) princess of Leuchtenberg then empress of Brazil and duchess of Bragance.