France has been struggling with its image abroad on several counts. First, there's the rise in anti-semitism and the corresponding exodus of French Jews. Second, there is Le Pen's success in the first round of the presidentials two years ago, which still sends a chill through the most rosy-cheeked francophiles, whether they're British trenchermen or Latin American bellettrists. Finally, there is Chirac's refusal to ride to war with Bush in 2003, for which admirers of the coalition can't forgive him.

LRB 6 May 2004 | PDF Download