Books matching: 19th century france
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Save:Les Miserables by Victor Hugo is a sprawling masterpiece that delves into the themes of redemption, true love, human nature, and social inequalities in 19th century France. The novel follows the convict Jean Valjean on his quest for redemption against the backdrop of poverty and a harsh penal system. Through intricate storytelling and detailed descriptions, Hugo weaves together the lives of a diverse cast of characters, providing a rich tapestry of human experiences.
If only for the sake of being accurate in every particular, although this circumstance in no way impinges on the basic substance of what we are about to relate, it may be worth mentioning here the rum... - #2
Save:The Count of Monte Cristo is a classic tale of revenge and redemption set against the backdrop of post-Napoleonic France. The story follows Edmond Dantes, a young sailor who is falsely accused of treason and imprisoned. After learning about a hidden treasure, Dantes escapes from prison and embarks on a journey of revenge against those who wronged him. The plot is filled with dramatic twists and turns, intricate subplots, and deep character development, making it a compelling and engaging read. The writing style of Alexandre Dumas is praised for its vivid descriptions, detailed characterizations, and exploration of themes such as love, honor, despair, and power.
On February 24, 1815, the lookout at Notre-Dame de la Garde signalled the arrival of the three-master Pharaon, coming from Smyrna, Trieste and Naples. As usual, a coastal pilot immediately left the po... - #3
Save:Madame Bovary by Gustave Flaubert is a classic novel that follows the story of Emma Bovary, a woman who is unsatisfied with her provincial life and seeks fulfillment in love and excitement. Despite being married to a country doctor, Charles Bovary, Emma embarks on adulterous affairs and indulges in spending money beyond their means. As her pursuit of happiness leads to ruin, the novel delves into themes of romanticism, disillusionment, and the consequences of unrealistic expectations.
We were in Study Hall, when the Headmaster entered, followed by a new boy dressed in regular clothes and a school servant carrying a large desk. Those who were sleeping woke up, and everyone rose as t... - #4
Save:'The Red and the Black' by Stendhal follows the story of Julien Sorel, a young ambitious Frenchman from a humble background, navigating the complexities of post-Napoleonic French society. The novel delves into themes of social climbing, love, ambition, and hypocrisy, portraying the capriciousness and changing hearts of its characters. Stendhal's writing style is described as sharp, dark satire with a touch of droll humor, reflecting the history and societal tensions of the time.
THE small town of Verrières may be regarded as one of the prettiest in the Franche-Comté. Its white houses with their steeply pitched roofs of red tile are spread over a hillside where clumps of sturd... - #5
Save:Lost Illusions by Honore de Balzac follows the journey of Lucien Chardon, a talented but naive poet, who aspires to make a name for himself in the glamorous world of Paris. Through a series of betrayals, ambitions, and tragedies, the novel explores the systematic destruction of illusions in characters striving for success in art and business. Balzac's writing style captures the harsh realities of society in the 19th century, where talent often succumbs to money, intrigue, and unscrupulousness.
It was your birthright to be, like a Rafael or a Pitt, a great poet at an age when other men are children; it was your fate, the fate of Chateaubriand and of every man of genius, to struggle against j... - #6
Save:'The Killer of Little Shepherds: A True Crime Story and the Birth of Forensic Science' by Douglas Starr tells the parallel stories of Joseph Vacher, a violent serial killer in 19th century France, and Dr. Alexandre Lacassagne, a pioneering forensic scientist. Vacher's gruesome murders and Lacassagne's efforts to apply early forensic science to convict criminals are alternated in chapters, creating a compelling narrative akin to Erik Larsen's style of storytelling. delves into the historical context of forensic science in the 1800s, exploring the methods used in autopsies, the criminal theories of the time, and the challenges faced by law enforcement in solving crimes without modern technology.
On a drizzly spring evening in 1893, in the French provincial city of Besançon, nineteen-year-old Louise Barant was walking along the riverside promenade when she crossed paths with a man wearing the ... - #7
Save:"The Swan Thieves" by Elizabeth Kostova follows the story of psychiatrist Andrew Marlowe, whose life is disrupted when renowned painter Robert Oliver becomes his patient after attacking a painting. Marlowe delves into Oliver's past, encountering mysterious women and uncovering artful mysteries, all against the backdrop of French Impressionism. The narrative weaves between modern-day events and historical threads, revealing a tale of obsession, personal quests, and tragic secrets at the heart of the art world.
I got the call about Robert Oliver in April 1999, less than a week after he'd pulled a knife in the nineteenth-century collection at the National Gallery. It was a Tuesday, one of those terrible morni... - #8
Save:In a reputable, albeit shabby, boarding house in Paris resides a mix of colorful characters, including the ridiculed Pere Goriot, who is devoted to his daughters. The book explores the social norms of the upper classes in 19th century Paris, focusing on themes of ambition, greed, and the destructiveness of societal expectations. Through the eyes of characters like Rastignac and Goriot, the author, Honore de Balzac, provides a poignant commentary on human nature and folly in post-Napoleon Paris.
The narrative follows the intertwined stories of characters like Eugene Rastignac, a law student aspiring to enter Paris society, and Pere Goriot, a father whose love for his daughters leads to his personal and financial ruin. Balzac's writing style is described as insightful, detailed, and filled with social commentary, offering a vivid portrayal of Parisian society during the early 19th century.
Maison Vauquer) receives men and women, old and young, and no word has ever been breathed against her respectable establishment ; but, at the same time, it must be said that as a matter of fact no yo... - #9
Save:'The Best Short Stories' by Guy de Maupassant is a collection of 17 tales that delve into various aspects of life in 19th century France. The stories cover a wide range of themes including love, tragedy, comedy, farce, irony, relationships, time, death, war, grief, despair, elation, religion, and class disparity. Maupassant's writing style is praised for its wonderful descriptions of the natural world, the detailed settings, and the balance between tiny fragments of information and broad brush statements. The stories are known for their unexpected endings, emotional depth, and thought-provoking nature.
Madame Tussaud: A Novel of the French Revolution by Michelle Moran delves into the life of Marie Tussaud, a wax modeler living during the French Revolution. The story follows Marie's intricate balancing act between creating wax figures for the royal family and making death masks for the victims of the Reign of Terror. Set against the backdrop of the turbulent French Revolution, the novel portrays Marie's struggles to navigate the dangerous world of both royalty and revolutionaries, offering a unique perspective on this historical period. The writing style is described as engaging and compelling, providing a vivid portrayal of Marie's experiences and emotions during this tumultuous time.
ALTHOUGH IT IS MID-DECEMBER AND EVERYONE WITH SENSE is huddled near a fire, more than two dozen women are pressed together in Rose Bertin’s shop, Le Grand Mogol. They are heating themselves by the han...
