"Contemporaries, First Series: Literary Studies and Portraits" is a collection of literary essays and portraits of famous writers written by the French writer and critic Jules Lemaître. In this book, the author examines the work and life of outstanding writers and poets of his time, revealing their individuality, talent and influence on modern literature. Lemaître skilfully analyzes the style and theme of each author's work, helping the reader to better understand and appreciate the literary heritage of that time. Thanks to this book, readers will have the opportunity to better understand the world of literature of the 19th century and discover new talents and masterpieces of literature.