Adrienne Monnier

Publisher, Writer

Adrienne Monnier was a French publisher and writer known for her influential bookshop and her contributions to literary culture in early 20th-century Paris.

Born
April 1, 1892
Died
June 1, 1955
Quotes
12
Rank
#5934

About Adrienne Monnier

Adrienne Monnier — Life and Legacy

Adrienne Monnier was a pivotal figure in the literary scene of early 20th-century Paris, renowned for her bookshop, which became a gathering place for writers and intellectuals. Her work not only showcased her passion for literature but also her deep understanding of love and relationships, often reflected in her writings. Monnier famously stated, 'The bookshop is a place of love,' highlighting her belief that literature fosters connections among people. This perspective is evident in her interactions with contemporaries, where she often blended personal relationships with literary discussions, creating a unique atmosphere of camaraderie. Her quotes reveal a worldview where literature serves as a conduit for emotional expression and connection. By asserting that 'the heart of a bookshop' lies in its ability to bring people together, Monnier challenged the notion of books as mere commodities, instead framing them as vessels of love and understanding. This approach not only enriched her own writing but also influenced those around her, encouraging a more profound appreciation for the emotional depths of literature. Today, Monnier's insights continue to resonate, reminding us of the enduring power of literature to connect hearts and minds. Her legacy as a publisher and writer underscores the importance of nurturing spaces where love for literature can thrive, making her contributions to literary culture both significant and timeless.

Quote collection

Adrienne Monnier quotes

12 quotes — follow a thought to its full quote page.

Adrienne Monnier Publisher, Writer
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"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."

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Adrienne Monnier Publisher, Writer
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"I can easily do without people (there are days when I could easily do without myself), and ... in the country of books where I dwell, the dead can count entirely as much as the living."

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Adrienne Monnier Publisher, Writer
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"The sight or sound of perfect things causes a certain suffering."

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Adrienne Monnier Publisher, Writer
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"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."

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Adrienne Monnier Publisher, Writer
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"Our present-day artists do not transform, they deform. That gives pleasure to nobody. It changes everything, therefore it changes nothing."

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Adrienne Monnier Publisher, Writer
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"German civility, which often seems stiff to us, shows an attentive and touching respect for the person that I often prefer to our offhandedness."

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Adrienne Monnier Publisher, Writer
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"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."

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Adrienne Monnier Publisher, Writer
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"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."

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Adrienne Monnier Publisher, Writer
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"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."

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