Montmartre

A superb small-scale artistic and literary history of Montmartre, arranged historically with primary emphasis on the period from 1880-1920. Chapters are titled by several of the most famous/notorious cabarets: Chat Noire,Moulin de la Galette, Moulin Rouge and many lesser-known. In each case the history focuses around the famous artists and literary personalities who frequented the cabarets, including discussions of the complex web of interactions among the personalities. The transformation of Montmartre from rural romantic hideaway to sex-centrale forms an interesting interior thread. Interesting discussions, usually in quotes from the writers who were there, on the seamy side of night life, including descriptions of the area's homosexual life, pederasty, and prostitution (in all its forms). A highlight is the many excellent illustrations (which are almost all alluded to in the text), with pride of place given to Toulouse-Lautrec and Picasso. Wish there were a Bibliography, especially for the written sources. Art works are well documented. Translated from the French original (?) which might be even better. A must-read for Paris-lovers.