Ben Schott's Miscellanées: A French Adaptation of British Humor

Ben Schott's 'Schott's Original Miscellany', first published by Bloomsbury in London in 2002, has been translated and adapted into French as 'Miscellanées de Mr Schott' by Éditions Allia. The translation, handled by Boris Donné in collaboration with the author, required free transposition and adaptation of certain articles to make them accessible to continental readers while preserving their British character. The book is a collection of short, erudite, and humorous entries covering diverse topics such as how to tie a bow tie, Brussels slang, the names of the Twelve Caesars, a marine weather map, and the first-class dinner menu on the Titanic on April 14, 1912. Schott's humor relies on the juxtaposition of singular facts within conventional frameworks, creating a melancholic yet cheerful effect. The book also includes reflexive and citational elements, such as Borges's list of animal classifications attributed to Franz Kuhn, excerpts from Sei Shōnagon's 'Pillow Book', and a passage from Rabelais. Schott invites readers to correct any errors via email or to the publisher's address.