Catching up on Classics (and lots more!) discussion

Cyrano de Bergerac is our Old School Classic Group Read for February 2022.

This is the No Spoiler Thread
The Spoiler Thread will open on the 1st.

This early posting of the No Spoiler thread is to discuss any non-plot issues pertaining to the book.

Appropriate Posts can contain:
1. Information about the author.
2. Compare editions/translations.
3. Any historical or background information
4. Are you familiar with this author’s work? Do you have any expectations going into the book?
5. What made you decide to read this book?
6. Any fan fiction that you have read or would like to read? Just link the books.
7. If you loved the book and want others to share in that experience, use this thread to motivate others, again save plot specifics for the Spoiler thread
8. If you hated the book, it would be best to keep that for the spoiler page

The most important thing to remember is no plot discussion. Any post that contains plot information or spoilers will be deleted.

I think I might jump in for this one. The 1950 film version was terrific, as was of course the Steve Martin version "Roxanne."

I’m going to read this one. Cyrano is one of those characters I know all about but I’ve never actually experienced in film or book. It will be fun to read!

I read this twice and really enjoyed it. The best love tragedy I've read after Romeo and Juliet. If you haven't liked the Shakespeare play, please don't be put off by my comparison. Cyrano is still a worthy read.

I've seen the 1990 film with Gerard Depardieu. Wonderful and heart-rending. Cyrano remains one of my favourite books till date. The English translation I read sounded like poetry, I wonder how much more beautiful the original French sounds.

I remember the movie and will be in for this one. Hoping my very basic French is good enough to read it in French with a dictionary.

I cried the first time I read this it was so beautiful to me. I wonder how it holds up many years later? Can’t wait to give this a re-read!

You probably know there is a new movie musical of this with Peter Dinklage. The original contains poems so it makes sense to turn them into songs.

I was a French literature major decades ago. In the 18th century, French theater was very formal and regulated. You couldn't mix comedy and tragedy, subjects had to be from history or mythology, a specific type of verse had to be used, etc. At the beginning of the 19th century, French playwrights wanted to change this, to create something more like Shakespeare, with comedy, tragedy, prose and verse all mixed in. A couple of the main leaders of this were Alexandre Dumas and Victor Hugo, both better known now for their novels than their plays. But nobody really achieved an excellent drama. I think Cyrano, in the later half of the 19th century, is the best example of a "Shakespearian" French play. You get comedy, tragedy, history, action, love story, and memorable characters.

Robin P wrote: "You probably know there is a new movie musical of this with Peter Dinklage. The original contains poems so it makes sense to turn them into songs.

I was a French literature major decades ago. In t..."

Very interesting, thank you so much for sharing!

I was excited to see this on the list for next month. I remember reading Cyrano in high school and loving it. I don’t remember much except the plot, as this was read 15ish years ago. Looking forward to reading it with a fresh perspective!

I read this quite some time ago, and I found a translation by the poet Louis Untermeyer that's different than the one I read before; so I will probably join this if I have time.

There are quite a few reads I'd like to join over the month of February, but in a burst of optimism, I've placed a hold on it. Hopefully my optimism is justified!

I did an audiobook from YouTube which I believe was from the BBC. It had Kenneth Branagh and Tom Hiddleson and it was positively DELIGHTFUL! I’ve read the play before but I do prefer to listen rather than read plays. Adds to the experience!

I found several versions to borrow on Hoopla. not sure which one to pick but as I have never read Cyrano I suppose I will just pick one and start reading in Feb. I enjoyed all the enthusiasm in the comments. this determined me to join in reading the book.

Noa - Oooo! I’ve already started reading it and I’m enjoying it but I would LOVE to find that audiobook! I’m going scouting….

I’ve already finished reading over half of it but I wouldn’t mind it experiencing it all over again in audiobook from, especially with readers like those. I could listen to Tom Huddleston all day long…

Audiobook is a great idea, since obviously it was written to be spoken out loud.

Here’s a link to the BBC audiobook:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=QINhE0I...

The 1990 movie used the 1985 Anthony Burgess translation for its English sub-titles, so that's the version I'll be reading
(plus re-watching the movie!)

Glad to be here. Such good suggestions. Yes I too understand that a play is written to be watched, or at least heard. I too might be using either the YouTube video link--Kenneth Branagh is a great actor. Or I might be using what I too see on Hoopla, L.A. Theatre Works. I recently listened to this radio production company when we read The Misanthrophe last year. Very happy with that choice.

I will have fun deciding on a production ;-)

I will be reading from the Barnes and Noble edition as I listen to the play. Multi-sensory media helps me to understand better, enjoy more.

Also I appreciate picking and panning through the extras of the Barnes and Noble editions. Other editions such as Oxford does the same. Just that I found this edition on Scribd.

I am reading the Brian Hooker translation but will listen to the LA Theaterworks audio play which is based on the Burgess translation.

Sam would you please tell me the publication company of the Burgess.translation or send me a link or maybe even an ISBN ? If I can find a copy, I can (more) comfortably read along.

N.B. there are two versions of the Burgess translation - he originally did it in the early 70's, and then re-did it in 1983 for an RSC production at the Barbican in London, which is what got published in 1985 - I don't know how different the two versions are.

both isbns 1854591177 and 1557832307 are the 1985 version;
039447239X is the only isbn I could find for the 1971 version

Thank you Sam and Darren. I found the ebook on Scribd and the audio I mentioned earlier on Hoopla.

By far the most common translation is that of Brian Hooker, although I do believe the Anthony Burgess translation is superior, even if it does veer into adaptation by making changes (some of which I even agree with).

My own first exposure to this play was the Mr. Magoo cartoon. Then I saw the a brilliant filming of a stage production by ACT in San Francisco, starring Robert Donat and Marsha Mason. It was shown on PBS and I long to find it again. In the 1990s the company did a revival with the original leads and it was dreadful. The 70+ year old Donat was simply not equal to the physical demands of the role.

At University I came across the album of a musical version which had starred Christopher Plummer which was (mostly) just lovely. I can still remember some the lyrics decades later. There was also one song which was ghastly beyond words.

Have also seen the filmed RSC production with Derek Jacobi, and the Depardieu film. Both very good.

One detail I looked up years ago that still resonates with me. Cyrano de Bergerac was indeed a real man. We know when he was born, when he died, etc. And we know the date of the first act in the play, which means we know how old Cyrano was at that point. When he does everything he does in that act and every scene that follows.

At the start of the play, he is eighteen years old. Something to consider.

Cynda wrote: "Sam would you please tell me the publication company of the Burgess.translation or send me a link or maybe even an ISBN ? If I can find a copy, I can (more) comfortably read along."

Sorry Cynda, I just noticed your message but see it has already been answered and you have found a copy. I am reading the Hooker version for its supposedly more accurate rendering of the Rostrand material., I will listen to the Burgess for fun. I will also try and rewatch the 1950 Jose Ferrer and 1990 Gerard Depardieu filmed versions too. Another film adaptation that I liked was the 1987 Steve Martin version though that is a modern adaptation. Joe Wright is directing a must see new version with Peter Dinklage in the title role, but it hasn't been released in the U.S. yet.

I'm excited to join you for this one. I'll read it in French and I'll probably watch the Depardieu movie as well.

The historical Cyrano was himself an author (some of his works can be found on Amazon), of plays, poems, and prose.

The latter included some early science fiction (Journeys to the Moon and Sun), which Voltaire later found nonsensical. He was not taking into account the censorship which eliminated the satirical points of many passages, although he certainly knew all about that from experience.

It was published complete in more recent times -- I don't recall if Rostand would have known the uncut text.

This has been translated into English a couple of times. Unfortunately, a 17th-century translation show up first on an Amazon search by his name: this was based on the text as published under censorship, so it has serious drawbacks.

My favorite translation, "Other Worlds," by Geoffrey Strachan, is unfortunately out of print, and the paperback copies from dealers are absurdly expensive.

Sam thanks for getting back with me.

Yes I did watch parts of some production on PBS years and years ago. Probably the one with Gerard Depardieu. Since I will listwe to a radio-quality production, I probably just go with that. Another time I will want to watch Gerard Depardieu as Cyrano.

Ian wrote: "The historical Cyrano was himself an author (some of his works can be found on Amazon), of plays, poems, and prose.

The latter included some early science fiction (Journeys to the Moon and Sun), w..."

Fascinating Ian! I had no idea that his works still existed or were available.

I just read this 2 months ago, so I won’t re-read, but might join in on the discussion.

Ian wrote: "The historical Cyrano was himself an author (some of his works can be found on Amazon), of plays, poems, and prose...."

He was also said to be homosexual, per many of his biographers. Although the play is complete fiction, this does add an interesting wrinkle.

Perhaps even an interesting wrinkle to human romance and sexuality.