SubscribeThe Select Crowd
A new book explores the history of Le Select, one of Montparnasse’s most prominent artistic cafés and a regular hangout for Henry Miller in the 1930’s.
Paris Café: The Select Crowd is written by Noël Riley Fitch, author of Anaïs: The Erotic Life of Anaïs Nin and the seminal book on Sylvia Beach and Shakespeare and Co. Her Walks in Hemingway’s Paris and Literary Cafés of Paris were inspirations for this blog.
The book is illustrated by longtime Select regular and MAD Magazine artist Rick Tulka.
CBS News recently broadcast a video segment on Tulka and Le Select which features Tulka’s caricatures as well as the patrons, staff and history of Le Select, and delves into the current state of café culture in Paris—definitely worth a look.
I haven’t read the book myself yet, but I have spent many pleasant hours at the Select. The look and atmosphere of the place suggests it hasn’t changed much since Miller was a regular in the 30’s—it’s one cultural landmark that hasn’t succumbed to being simply a tourist destination. The Select’s is graced by a friendly staff (and cat) and its patronage is still made up primarily of regulars.
For more information on Paris Café: The Select Crowd check out the publisher’s page for the book. The Kirkus Review called it “A tribute so pleasant and persuasive that swarming tourists may make it difficult for Fitch and Tulka to find a table.” You can read the full Kirkus Review article on Fitch’s website. I’ve written about Le Select previously as part of our Montparnasse walk.
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| Noël Riley Fitch and Rick Tulka at Le Select — Drawings by Rick Tulka | ||
Rick Tulka Nov 27
Hi Kreg,
Thank you so much for your nice plug about our new book on Le Sélect. I hope you like it when you get to read it. Noël’s text is great! Le Sélect is really the best café in Paris.
Best,
Rick Tulka
Kreg Wallace Nov 28
You’re welcome, Rick. I’m looking forward to reading this book — It’s on my Christmas list!
Kreg
Leon Freilich Nov 28
“Paris Cafe” is fascinating and useful.
Fascinating in its definitive delineation of French noses. The French, it seems, have as many noses as opinions.
And useful in that the book gives us flaneurs something charming to look at between sips from cups of brown and glasses of red.
Ah, yes: I just realized it also makes a fine Christmas gift for lovers of Paris and its cafes.
Leon Freilich
Merci, Mme. Fitch et M. Tulka.
Paul Strome Jan 04
I spent the better part of an afternoon trying to find this book in Paris. They had never even heard of it at “La Hune” and WH Smith, Galignani, and Brentanos did not have copies either.
Too bad it’s so hard to find.
Best,
Paul
Kreg Wallace Jan 04
Paul,
That’s a shame you couldn’t find the book. If you are still searching, I’d suggest The Village Voice or The Red Wheelbarrow as the most likely bookstore candidates. La Hune is great, but I doubt they would have many books in English.
Paul Strome Jan 05
Not even Shakespeare and Company has a copy. I will indeed stop by Village Voice, I appreciate the suggestion. I hope that whoever is responsible for the distribution of the book will be alerted to its absence in so many parisian bookstores. Thanks again!
Rick Tulka Jan 08
My book was being sold at the Village Voice, Brentano’s and Galignani. (I am not sure about the other English bookstores - even though they were aware of it).
The Village Voice had copies and they were involved with a book signing at the café in December. I actually saw the book at Galignani and the book buyer at Brentano’s emailed me that they had it too. I guess if they don’t have copies anymore they sold out. I would suppose that one can order it. Good luck!
Rick
Eric L Jan 15
Just had lunch at Le Select on my honeymoon in Paris. Wrote a short story while there and everything. (Also visited any number of other cafes frequented by Miller and other writers. Now, I must read this book.