AM
Adrienne Monnier
12quotes
Adrienne Monnier
Full Name and Common Aliases
Adrienne Monnier was a French bookseller, publisher, and translator, best known as the proprietor of La Maison des Amis des Livres (The House of Friends of Books).
Birth and Death Dates
Born on February 21, 1892, in Paris, France; died on December 26, 1955.
Nationality and Profession(s)
French bookseller, publisher, translator, and literary agent.
Early Life and Background
Adrienne Monnier was born into a middle-class family in Paris. Her father was a physician, and her mother was a homemaker. Monnier's love for literature began at an early age, influenced by her parents' encouragement of her reading habits. She attended the Lycée Fénelon and later studied English at the University of Paris.
Major Accomplishments
Monnier's most significant accomplishment was founding La Maison des Amis des Livres in 1913. This bookshop became a hub for writers, artists, and intellectuals, fostering a sense of community among them. She also established a publishing company, Les Éditions de la Maison des Amis des Livres, which published works by prominent authors such as Ernest Hemingway and Samuel Beckett.
Notable Works or Actions
Monnier's bookshop was more than just a place to buy books; it was a gathering spot for writers. Many notable authors of her time frequented the shop, including James Joyce, Ezra Pound, and Djuna Barnes. Monnier played an essential role in promoting their work and connecting them with other writers.
Impact and Legacy
Monnier's impact on 20th-century literature cannot be overstated. Her bookshop served as a catalyst for artistic collaboration and innovation. Many of the most influential writers of her time were influenced by or associated with Monnier, who facilitated the exchange of ideas among creatives. Through her publishing company, she introduced new voices to the literary scene.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
Monnier's significance extends beyond her role as a bookseller and publisher. She was an integral part of the Parisian literary scene during its most vibrant period. Her commitment to promoting emerging writers and fostering artistic collaboration has left a lasting legacy in the world of literature.
Additional Facts
Monnier was also known for her translations, particularly of American authors.
During World War II, Monnier's bookshop became an underground safe haven for intellectuals and artists fleeing Nazi-occupied France.
* She never married but maintained close relationships with many writers, who often sought her advice on matters both literary and personal.
By understanding Adrienne Monnier's life and accomplishments, readers can appreciate the significant role she played in shaping modern literature. Her legacy continues to inspire writers and readers alike, making her a figure worthy of remembrance and study.
Quotes by Adrienne Monnier
"
German civility, which often seems stiff to us, shows an attentive and touching respect for the person that I often prefer to our offhandedness.
"
For the last six or seven years the circus has no longer been in fashion. That is a pity. One should go to the circus, beyond any question of fashion, at least one or two times a year-I am not speaking here to the real enthusiasts, they know better than I what they have to do.
"
I am not sure that Christ would have been very satisfied to foresee that He would be looked upon principally as a redeemer and nailed forever upon the cross by human ignorance. It seems to me that He above all desired to bring men a message of truth, that He wanted to heal them of their faults by making an appeal to all their energy; He shook them as much as He could, He did not seek to spare them the trouble.
"
One attacks those who possess things that one does not possess. The attack is all the more savage because the one who attacks is destitute and the one who is attacked is well provided. The one who attacks always considers himself to be in the position of legitimate offense.
"
Abstract art: a construction site for high fashion, for advertising, for furniture.
"
In my opinion what distinguishes the Bible from the other books is its sense of time. Its first concern is to establish a calendar. Then it traces a genealogy. It imposes rhythms, it orders, it operates, it does not abandon the earth where its destiny must be fulfilled and whose own destiny must be fulfilled by it. Its history will be that of men and not of idle gods. The whole spirit must become incarnate and explore the possible.
"
Our present-day artists do not transform, they deform. That gives pleasure to nobody. It changes everything, therefore it changes nothing.
"
It matters less to venerate things than to live with them on terms of good friendship.
"
Gaiety is forgetfulness of the self, melancholy is memory of the self: in that state the soul feels all the power of its roots, nothing distracts it from its profound homeland and the look that it casts upon the outer world is gently dismayed.
Showing 1 to 10 of 12 results