Originally published in 1851, Scenes from the Latin Quarter is Henri Murger’s best-known work, and the novel upon which Puccini based his opera La Bohème. The novel draws largely on Murger’s own experiences as a desperately poor writer living in a Parisian attic, and the lives of his easy-come easy goes club of friends who called themselves “the water drinkers” because they were too poor to afford wine. A sometimes outrageous, sometimes hilarious, and sometimes tragic sweep through Paris in the late 1800s, Scenes from the Latin Quarter still gives the reader the authentic taste of irresponsible youth and creativity in time and place.

Henri Murger - Henri Murger was born the the son of a German immgrant to Paris in 1822, and received relatively little education. Murger is best known as the author of Scenes of Bohemian Life, chiefly drawn from his experience as a poverty-striken writer living in a Parisian attic. By contrast, he lived much of his later life in a country house outside Paris, where he died in 1861.

James Naughtie - James Naughtie is a well known broadcaster, writer and presenter, best known for his role presenting BBC Radio 4’s Today programme. He also presents the monthly Bookclub on Radio 4, and writes, reviews and broadcasts widely on literature and opera. He lives in London.

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By the same author or foreword writer:
Kidnapped By Robert Louis Stevenson;  James Naughtie (Foreword)