Caprices d'un Bibliophile

A delightfully self‑aware portrait of a lover of books, this work opens with a witty preface that treats the act of writing itself as a theatrical performance. The author playfully contrasts meticulous craftsmanship with spontaneous whims, offering a collection of literary “sketches” that feel like charming notes slipped between the pages of a cherished volume. Beautifully illustrated with a frontispiece that rivals the finest engravings of Gravelot or Eisen, the book’s limited, artful editions echo the very passion it celebrates.

From the first page, the narrator’s mood is unmistakably melancholic, haunted by a restless night in London and a lingering sense of misanthropy. This brooding tone leads to an unexpected encounter at the Hôtel Drouot, where a mysterious sale of books promises to stir both memories and ambitions. Listeners are invited to follow this bibliophile’s journey, savoring the blend of intellectual humor and heartfelt yearning that defines the early chapters.