Curiosa: Essais critiques de littérature ancienne ignorée ou mal connue

This volume gathers a series of scholarly essays that shine a light on literary works long consigned to obscurity. Its editors explain that, while the great masters—Homer, Dante, Shakespeare—remain essential reading, countless smaller texts have slipped into the shadows of the publishing world. By presenting concise studies and introductory notes, the book invites listeners to discover the hidden gems that still merit attention.

The collection spans a remarkable range, from Renaissance humanists such as Pogge, Valla and Erasmus to Italian storytellers like Boccaccio, Aretino and the lesser‑known Firenzuola. It also explores witty French poets, 18th‑century novelists, and enigmatic authors whose contributions have been misattributed or forgotten. Each essay offers contextual insight, clarifying doubtful attributions and revealing the cultural flavor of these “desserts of the mind.” For anyone curious about the side‑roads of literary history, the work serves as a thoughtful supplement to the familiar canon.