Larry Beckett’s ninth book, Romances Without Words / In Solitary, is a translation from the French of the impressionist / symbolist poet Paul Verlaine.
Two books in one, Romances Without Words (Romances Sans Paroles) is an iconic book of lyric poems, and In Solitary (Cellulairement) is the first English translation of the complete original prison text.
Some of the poetry verges on pure music, as in the “Lost Airs,” by an aesthetic articulated in the prison poem “The Art of Poetry:” “Music above all!”
Romances Sans Paroles was written while Verlaine was travelling with Arthur Rimbaud, completed 1873, and published 1874. Cellulairement was written while in prison for shooting Rimbaud, completed 1875, and published 2013.
The dedication to Rimbaud, crossed out by the first publisher and left out of all subsequent editions, has been restored.
Though many of the poems from the In Solitary manuscript were included in later Verlaine volumes, they were revised, and weakened in the process. This translation with the original french en face, is the first to restore Verlaine’s original book.
Available April 15th, 2026
Pre-order now and get a signed copy for no extra cost!
Larry Beckett’s ninth book, Romances Without Words / In Solitary, is a translation from the French of the impressionist / symbolist poet Paul Verlaine.
Two books in one, Romances Without Words (Romances Sans Paroles) is an iconic book of lyric poems, and In Solitary (Cellulairement) is the first English translation of the complete original prison text.
Some of the poetry verges on pure music, as in the “Lost Airs,” by an aesthetic articulated in the prison poem “The Art of Poetry:” “Music above all!”
Romances Sans Paroles was written while Verlaine was travelling with Arthur Rimbaud, completed 1873, and published 1874. Cellulairement was written while in prison for shooting Rimbaud, completed 1875, and published 2013.
The dedication to Rimbaud, crossed out by the first publisher and left out of all subsequent editions, has been restored.
Though many of the poems from the In Solitary manuscript were included in later Verlaine volumes, they were revised, and weakened in the process. This translation with the original french en face, is the first to restore Verlaine’s original book.
Available April 15th, 2026
Pre-order now and get a signed copy for no extra cost!
