UPCOMING EVENTS

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• LS271 Café Littéraire: HHhH, by Laurent Binet

  • When
    27 Sep 2024
  •  
    3:00 PM - 4:30 PM
  • Location
    11 rue Tiphaine, 75015
  • Spaces left
    8

  HHhH by Laurent Binet is a historical novel that was originally published in French under the title HHhH in 2010. The novel has received widespread acclaim for its innovative narrative style and its deep exploration of a significant World War II event.

  The title HHhH stands for "Himmlers Hirn heißt Heydrich," which translates to "Himmler's brain is called Heydrich." The book is a blend of historical fact and literary fiction, focusing on Operation Anthropoid, the code name for the mission to assassinate Reinhard Heydrich, a high-ranking Nazi official and one of the main architects of the Holocaust.

  The novel intricately weaves together the true story of Heydrich’s rise to power and the meticulous planning and execution of his assassination by two Czechoslovak parachutists, Jozef Gabčík and Jan Kubiš, in 1942. Binet’s narrative is unique in that it often breaks the fourth wall, with the author reflecting on the challenges and ethical considerations of writing historical fiction. He discusses his research process, the reliability of sources, and the difficulty of distinguishing between historical accuracy and storytelling.

  By alternating between detailed historical accounts and the author’s introspective commentary, Binet creates a rich tapestry that delves into the complexities of history, memory, and narrative. HHhH not only tells the gripping story of a pivotal World War II operation but also provides a thought-provoking meditation on the nature of historical fiction itself.

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  HHhH par Laurent Binet est un roman historique publié pour la première fois en français en 2010. Le livre a été largement acclamé pour son style narratif innovant et son exploration approfondie d'un événement significatif de la Seconde Guerre mondiale.

  Le titre HHhH signifie "Himmlers Hirn heißt Heydrich", ce qui se traduit par "Le cerveau de Himmler s'appelle Heydrich". Le roman est un mélange de faits historiques et de fiction littéraire, se concentrant sur l'opération Anthropoid, le nom de code de la mission visant à assassiner Reinhard Heydrich, un haut responsable nazi et l'un des principaux architectes de l'Holocauste.

  Le roman tisse de manière complexe l'histoire vraie de l'ascension au pouvoir de Heydrich et la planification minutieuse et l'exécution de son assassinat par deux parachutistes tchécoslovaques, Jozef Gabčík et Jan Kubiš, en 1942. La narration de Binet est unique en ce sens qu'elle brise souvent le quatrième mur, l'auteur réfléchissant aux défis et aux considérations éthiques de l'écriture de la fiction historique. Il discute de son processus de recherche, de la fiabilité des sources et de la difficulté de distinguer entre exactitude historique et narration.

  En alternant entre des récits historiques détaillés et les commentaires introspectifs de l'auteur, Binet crée une riche tapisserie qui explore les complexités de l'histoire, de la mémoire et de la narration. HHhH ne raconte pas seulement l'histoire captivante d'une opération de la Seconde Guerre mondiale, mais offre également une méditation stimulante sur la nature de la fiction historique elle-même.

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  Registration for this meeting opens on 02 September.
  

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• LS031 Play Reading: Arcadia, by Tom Stoppard

  • When
    04 Oct 2024
  •  
    10:00 AM - 1:00 PM
  • Location
    To Be Announced
  • Spaces left
    13

  "Arcadia" is a 1993 stage play by Tom Stoppard that intertwines two storylines set in the same English country house, Sidley Park, but separated by two centuries.

  In the early 19th century, the story follows the inhabitants of Sidley Park, including Thomasina Coverly, a young girl fascinated by mathematics, and her tutor, Septimus Hodge. Their intellectual pursuits intersect with romantic entanglements and the landscape architecture of the garden.

  In the present day, a group of academics and historians investigates the events of the past, attempting to uncover the truth behind a mysterious hermit who lived on the estate and the fate of Thomasina.

  As the play unfolds, themes of love, science, literature, and the elusive nature of truth emerge, with Stoppard blending humor, intellect, and emotion to explore the interconnectedness of past and present, and the eternal quest for knowledge and understanding.

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  This play is 48 pages and has 13 characters. The estimated reading time is 1 1/2 hours.

  The reading will take place at a member's apartment. The address, door code, and phone number will be sent in the two reminder emails.

  As always, two spots are reserved for new WICE members until a few days before the reading. If they have not been filled, we open them to members on the wait list.

  Registration opens on 09 September 2024.

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• BS252 French Lit for Fun

  • Start
    16 Oct 2024
  •  
  • End
    18 Dec 2024
  •  
  • Schedule
    3 sessions
  • Location
    Zoom online
  • Spaces left
    11

  COURSE DESCRIPTION

  Discover and discuss contemporary classics in this lively class for high-intermediate and advanced French speakers. You’ll read a book at home, either a short novel or play, then participate in a class discussion. The instructor will supply context and cultural elements, as well as discussion questions intended to spark reflection and debate. In the spirit of literary cafés, the class will help you gain a deeper knowledge of French societal issues and controversies.

  Fall term books to be determined shortly.

  About the instructor

  Bleuenn Simon has taught French literature and French as a second language for over 18 years in France and in the United States. She is also a theater teacher, amateur actress, and author.

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• LO251 Café Littéraire Book Group

  • When
    25 Oct 2024
  •  
    3:00 PM - 4:30 PM
  • Location
    TBD
  • Spaces left
    8

  

  A book has not been chosen yet for the October meeting. It will, however,  be an award-winning book that was originally published in French and is available in English translation.

  The group discusses the book in English.

  The book group normally meets at the organizer's apartment in the 15th arrondissement, and the directions, door code, telephone number, etc., are sent following registration.

  Registration for the October meeting opens on 27 September.
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

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• LU141 Play Reading

  • When
    01 Nov 2024
  •  
    10:00 AM - 1:00 PM
  • Location
    To Be Announced
  • Spaces left
    12

  On the 1st Friday of the month, WICE has a cold play reading group that is open to all WICE members. This group looks for plays to read out loud that meet the following criteria (although that is not always possible):

      English language 

      Award winning (or nominated)
  

      One or two acts

      7 - 10 characters

      Able to be read out loud in 1 1/2 hours
  

  Plays are generally chosen on a month-to-month basis, primarily (but not exclusively) from the candidate list of plays located on our webpage, From Page to Stage: Readings of Award-Winning Plays. When the play for April has been chosen, this listing will be updated.

  Note: Because the Paris Writers Workshop is taking place the entire first week of June, we are doing the June play reading on the 2nd Friday of the month.
  

  Registration the June reading session opens on 03 May.
  

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• LN221 Café Littéraire Book Group

  • When
    22 Nov 2024
  •  
    3:00 PM - 4:30 PM
  • Location
    TBD
  • Spaces left
    8

  

  A book has not been chosen yet for the November meeting. It will, however,  be an award-winning book that was originally published in French and is available in English translation.

  The group discusses the book in English.

  The book group normally meets at the organizer's apartment in the 15th arrondissement, and the directions, door code, telephone number, etc., are sent following registration.

  Registration for the November meeting opens on 25 October.
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

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• LD201 Café Littéraire Book Group

  • When
    20 Dec 2024
  •  
    3:00 PM - 4:30 PM
  • Location
    TBD
  • Spaces left
    8

  

  A book has not been chosen yet for the December meeting. It will, however,  be an award-winning book that was originally published in French and is available in English translation.

  The group discusses the book in English.

  The book group normally meets at the organizer's apartment in the 15th arrondissement, and the directions, door code, telephone number, etc., are sent following registration.

  Registration for the November meeting opens on 22 November.
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

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