Je t'aime

SP Books and Dominique Marny are delighted to propose a new literary and artistic promenade, this time around the universal theme of love; the invisible and invincible force which since the dawn of time has inspired the most intense hope, excitement and creative fervor, as well as devastating disappointments and unexpected reunions. Prepare to discover love in all its forms!

A romantic escape

Across 16 chapters, Dominique Marny traces the history of love in the Western world. The reader in invited to stroll through an enchanted garden, whose many kiosks and pavilions overflow with works of art, sculptures and photos, further brought to life by quotations, poems and literary extracts, cinema and theatre.

“In Je t’aime, I wanted to delve into a subject which has enflamed hearts and minds for centuries. Would romantic love represent such a universal preoccupation were it not for the poets, writers and artists who battled to put into words and images their experiences, triumphant and unfortunate? Heir to Classical tradition, France is considered one of the countries where romantic love has always occupied a prominent position in the arts, literature and life of its inhabitants. Monuments, museums, theatres and restaurants guard the memories of happy, tumultuous and fatal love affairs. Since the courtly love of the 12th Century, famous - and infamous - couples have reigned in our collective imagination. Real or fictional, the echoes of their passion have stood the test of time. With the possibility of travel, other cultures, other characters and other stories have established their role in our conception of a love which knows no boundaries. The same can be said for this very book, which combines French traditions with European and Anglo-Saxon influences.“ D. M.

Throughout the pages of this book, the subtle and elegant illustrations of Nicolas Patrzynski enhance and illuminate the artworks within, both well-known, and more obscure.

After discovering the history of romantic love in mythology, Antiquity and courtly love, the book explores this timeless emotion in ten chapters: dream, seduce, consent, embrace, desire, suffer, correspond, promise, share and declare your deepest feelings. Later, the reader is invited to enter the greenhouse and the observatory where sentiments become eternal, consecrated in memories and vows.

Love explored through paintings, poems, photos, drawings and letters

Confronted with surprise after surprise, pause to reflect in front of the works of art. Arranged thematically to contrast antiquity with modernity, marvel at the evergreen nature of the sentiment that has continued to inspire a plethora of creators and their work.

« Kiss »

With the golden age of cinema, the ‘french kiss’ became a must-see attraction for many audiences. In black and white and then technicolor, the passionate exchanges between famous actors lit up the big screen. Not only did the public appreciate these displays of affection, but they demanded more! Some kisses remain unforgettable – Ingrid Bergman and Humphrey Bogart in Casablanca, Deborah Kerr and Burt Lancaster on the beach in From Here to Eternity… Clark Gable telling Vivian Leigh in Gone with the Wind: “You should be kissed, and often, and by someone who knows how?” Without forgetting Faye Dunaway and Steve McQueen in The Thomas Crowne Affair, Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhall in Brokeback Mountain, or Cate Blanchett and Rooney Mara in Carol…

French Kiss, Extract from the chapter « Kiss »

« Confess »

Fragile are the moments that precede a declaration of love, where everything is still to play for! “I love you, and I have always loved you; when you love someone, you love them as they are and not as you would wish them to be” the eponymous Anna Karenina tells Vronsky in Tolstoy’s novel. But can a perfectly reciprocal love exist? Are we loved by the other with the same fervour that we reserve for them? The answer can bring great joy or deep sorrow. Moreover, today, a shared understanding between two people does not necessarily mean marriage. We no longer promise to love each other forever, but this does not make the emotional connection any less precious. Cupid’s arrows can strike multiple times in a lifetime. Who can complain? As Philip Roth said, “Love is the only obsession that everyone longs for.”

La valeur des mots, Extract from the chapter « Confess »

About the author

Dominique Marny has published numerous novels and publications, including seven works about the life and work of her great-uncle, Jean Cocteau. In 2023, she collaborated with SP Books on Jean Cocteau – Chambres avec vues.

For several years, her work has considered the role of romantic love in art and literature, giving rise to several books on the subject. She has acted as commissioner for a number of exhibitions hosted in both private and public institutions. Since 2018, she has been the President of the Jean Cocteau committee.

Nicolas Patrzynski has worked in the domain of art and culture for several years, as an artistic director, graphic designer and commissioner of exhibitions. He is responsible for the ornate illustrations – kiosks, gemstones, flora and fauna, hearts and keys – that adorn the pages of this book.

999 numbered copies

Numbered from 1 to 999, this Carmine red edition is presented in a large format handmade slipcase.