Henri Murger

The inspiration for Puccini's great opera La Boheme, Henri Murger's episodic story of the bohemians of mid-19th century Paris is a lively, eccentric and amusing narrative - it is presented here with the original 33 drawings. Less a novel and more a series of entertaining encounters, Murger's work constructs a picture of artistic community and madcap association - aspiring painters, musicians and writers, all with strange stories to tell. Though struggling with poverty, the bohemians are blessed with occasional good fortune; eccentric but monied clients, or jobs landed by sheer luck and opportunistic panache. More than this however is the abiding theme of bonhomie between the young associates; all share the same dream - recognition and money for their creative endeavours - and are bound together by their place of meeting and low social standing. The cafe where the group gather to socialize serves as the genesis for several plotlines; here the protagonists commiserate and collaborate in equal measure.

The inspiration for Puccini's great opera La Boheme, Henri Murger's episodic story of the bohemians of mid-19th century Paris is a lively, eccentric and amusing narrative - it is presented here with the original 33 drawings. Less a novel and more a series of entertaining encounters, Murger's work constructs a picture of artistic community and madcap association - aspiring painters, musicians and writers, all with strange stories to tell. Though struggling with poverty, the bohemians are blessed with occasional good fortune; eccentric but monied clients, or jobs landed by sheer luck and opportunistic panache. More than this however is the abiding theme of bonhomie between the young associates; all share the same dream - recognition and money for their creative endeavours - and are bound together by their place of meeting and low social standing. The cafe where the group gather to socialize serves as the genesis for several plotlines; here the protagonists commiserate and collaborate in equal measure.

The Bohemians of whom it is a question in this book have no connection with the Bohemians whom melodramatists have rendered synonymous with robbers and assassins. Neither are they recruited from among the dancing-bear leaders, sword swallowers, gilt watch-guard vendors, street lottery keepers and a thousand other vague and mysterious professionals whose main business is to have no business at all, and who are always ready to turn their hands to anything except good. The class of Bohemians referred to in this book are not a race of today, they have existed in all climes and ages, and can claim an illustrious descent. In ancient Greece, to go no farther back in this genealogy, there existed a celebrated Bohemian, who lived from hand to mouth round the fertile country of Ionia, eating the bread of charity, and halting in the evening to tune beside some hospitable hearth the harmonious lyre that had sung the loves of Helen and the fall of Troy. Descending the steps of time modern Bohemia finds ancestors at every artistic and literary epoch.

This book by Henry Murger was the source of the plot used by Puccini in his opera "La Boh me"

This book by Henry Murger was the source of the plot used by Puccini in his opera "La Boh me".

This book by Henry Murger was the source of the plot used by Puccini in his opera "La Boh me".

This book by Henry Murger was the source of the plot used by Puccini in his opera "La Boh me".

This book by Henry Murger was the source of the plot used by Puccini in his opera "La Boh me".

Olivier avait vingt ans. La po sie n'avait d'abord t chez lui qu'une maladie de la premi re jeunesse, qu'un premier amour avait fort envenim e, et que plus tard la fr quentation de jeunes gens vou s l'art avait rendue chronique. Le p re d'Olivier, homme tr s rigide et tr s positif, voulait faire suivre son fils la carri re du commerce, et dans cette intention il avait envoy Olivier prendre des le ons de tenue de livres chez un professeur du quartier.