Henry Murger
He is chiefly distinguished as the author of Scènes de la vie de bohème, from his own experiences as a desperately poor writer living in a Parisian attic, and member of a loose club of friends who called themselves "the water drinkers" (because they were too poor to afford wine). In his writing he combines instinct with pathos and humour, sadness his predominant tone. The book is the basis for the operas La bohème (Puccini) and La bohème (Leoncavallo), and, at greater removes, the zarzuela Bohemios (Amadeu Vives), the operetta Das Veilchen vom Montmartre (Kálmán) and the Broadway musical Rent. He wrote lyrics as well as novels and stories, the chief being La Chanson de Musette, "a tear," says Gautier, "which has become a pearl of poetry"
“The first duty of wine is to be red. Don't talk to me of your white wines.”
Henry Murger
“As to my heart, since I have worn an eighty franc corset I do not hear it, and I am very much afraid that I have left it in one of Marcel's drawers.”
Henry Murger
“You see, my poor fellow, the hearts of women and she-cats are abysses that neither men nor toms will ever fathom.”
Henry Murger
“It is extraordinary Monsieur Benoit, but everytime I think of your triple character as a landlord, a bootmaker, and a friend, I am tempted to believe in the Trinity.”
Henry Murger
“The day is not over yet. You may still meet with Providence, who never gets up before noon.”
Henry Murger