ADVANCED FRENCH FOR EXCEPTIONAL CATS <i> By Henri de la Barbe (Henry Beard) (Villard: $12) </i>
Zut alors! Encore!
One is reminded of the story about Colette: Visiting New York and feeling somewhat culturally estranged, she was relieved when she saw a kitty: “Ah, someone who speaks French!†she is reported to have said.
Cats and French, advanced French. It can only be about refinement, Le Raffinement: “Le brocart en soie est la surface ideale pour le somme†(“Silk brocade is the ideal nap surfaceâ€); or La Gastronomie: “Les flagues ont un arome agreable de fleurs et des nuances grasses de terre et de chene.†(“Puddles have a pleasant floral aroma and rich, earthy, almost oaky, undertones.â€) Or Le Philosophe Feline: “Ai-je attrape cette souris ou est-ce que c’est moi qui suis en fait pris au piege de l’obligation de ma propre nature?†(“Have I caught this mouse, or is it not in fact I who am trapped by the obligations of my own nature?â€).
The perfect gift for Socks Clinton, our First Cat-elect.
