Christmas: 15 beautiful books for a last minute gift

Editions Eugen Ulmer, 216 pages, 35 euros.

Christophe Honoré, Of ghosts and the arts by Xavier Lardoux

Opera, theater, cinema, books… No art escapes the influence of Christophe Honoré, one of the major authors of his generation. To decipher his work, explore all aspects of his work, Xavier Lardoux set out to meet the director. Ghosts and the arts contains a long interview with the artist, interspersed with texts from close people (Catherine Deneuve, Marina Foïs, etc.) and richly documented. A fascinating read.

Editions Gallimard, 272 pages, 45 euros.

Farewell Yellow Brick Road: Memories of a Life on Tourd’Elton John

EDITORIAL INTERFACE

It is said that the emotions felt during a concert are impossible to transcribe with the ardor and passion of the live. In this book, however, Elton John is like on stage: generous, invested and devoted to his art. He looks back on his farewell tour, date by date and city by city, recounting career memories and behind-the-scenes anecdotes. Visually, the book is as shimmering as its author's wardrobe, illustrated by intimate, advertising and artistic photos in homage to the stage icon – obvious special mention to the works of David LaChapelle. The Rocket Man didn't settle for a photo album or a superficial autobiography. He does not avoid the folklore that surrounds him and willingly reveals the secrets of trying on his famous Donald Duck costume and his pre-concert rituals, but he also dwells on the reasons why he has always wanted to performing in countries hostile to LGBT rights and on his conception of parenthood. He devotes several pages to his stage outfits, notably those designed by Gucci for his latest tour – we learn that this flamboyant collaboration was born at the Oscar Party organized by the American edition of Vanity Fairduring which he met Alessandro Michele, when he was still the artistic director of the double G house. The fans are in the spotlight. This book is dedicated to them but it will delight all lovers of extraordinary destinies.

Éditions Michel Lafon, 279 pages, 39.95 euros.

Model championsby Sacha Balti and Lisa Hanoun

Christmas 15 beautiful books for a last minute gift

“Women's sport is beautiful because it goes beyond performance. It is a constant struggle against one's own limits, against doubts, against the feeling of not being in one's place. » As a way of prolonging the magic of the Olympic Games, this beautiful work highlights the journey of athletes, particularly disabled athletes, who share their doubts, but also their exploits. A dive into the lives of amazing women, accompanied by sublime photos.

On sale on @ticket024.

Love between men in French poetryAnthology by Franck Delorieux

Christmas 15 beautiful books for a last minute gift

“Apart fromMen of Verlaine and Sentenced to death by Genet, I was missing verses. » The poet and director of Lettres françaises, Franck Delorieux wanted to fill this gap with a very beautiful anthology of gay poetry. A journey through time on these poets who speak of desire between men, from the Renaissance to today. A history of homosexuality but which begins first with a history of homophobia. Thus Ronsard, who attacked the morals of King Henry III in the 16th century. “The King, as they say, hugs, fucks and fucks / Of his cute little ones with fresh complexions night and day / They, to get money, give him in turn / Their plump buttocks and endure the bresche. »
At the time of Louis XIV, making fun of the notorious homosexuality of certain public figures, as Racine did with Lully, was possible. On the other hand, poets learn to be more discreet when it comes to evoking their own inclination. Some 17th century writers, a little too free, paid with their lives.
Gay poetry is inevitably the Verlaine/Rimbaud couple. “The novel of living with two men / Better than no model spouses / Each in the pile paying sums / Of strong and faithful feelings”, writes the first.
With the slow gay liberation in the 20th century, a literary movement of the gay novel emerged, notably with André Gide, whose poetic work does not evoke homosexuality. But poetry is not left out, with authors more or less accepting, like François Mauriac, of repressed homosexuality even though certain texts are equivocal. “This heavy afternoon embraces my expectation / Its rumor is the sound of a contained love / But the march of time, desperately slow / Will rush when we are naked / A century, I waited for the second when our bodies / Will insult the sky of their combined thirsts / If I exhaust a life waiting for your arrival / The space of a kiss will give me death. » Here is a very beautiful anthology of obscure or glorious poets, all served by the magnificent drawings of Tomás Castro Neves.

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