Showing results for "paul bourget"

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Paul Bourget

Although the narrow stall, flooded with heaped-up books and papers, left the visitor just room enough to stir, and although that visitor was one of his regular customers, the old bookseller did not deign to move from the stool upon which he was seated, while writing on an unsteady desk. His odd head, with its long, white hair, peeping from beneath a once black felt hat with a broad brim, was hardly raised at the sound of the opening and shutting of the door. The newcomer saw an emaciated, ...

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Paul Bourget

That night (toward the end of February, 188—) a vast crowd was thronging the halls of the Casino at Monte Carlo. It was one of the momentary occasions, well known to all who have passed the winter season on the Corniche, when a sudden and prodigious afflux of composite humanity transfigures that place, ordinarily so vulgar with the brutal luxury of the people whom it satisfies. The gay madness that breaks out at Nice during the Carnival attracts to this little point of the Riviera the movi...

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Paul Bourget

"A Tragic Idyl" is a novel that explores the complexities of love, passion, and morality in the context of 19th-century French society. The story revolves around the lives of two protagonists, André and Marthe, who are drawn together by a powerful and forbidden love.As the plot unfolds, André and Marthe find themselves entangled in a web of desire, jealousy, and betrayal that threatens to destroy their lives and the lives of those around them. Despite their best efforts to resist temptatio...

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Paul Bourget

"The Blue Duchess" centers around the life of a noblewoman, likely referred to as the "Blue Duchess" due to her association with the color blue, which could be symbolic or related to her title or family heritage. The novel is set in the aristocratic circles of France, where societal expectations, family honor, and personal desires often collide.The duchess is portrayed as a complex and multifaceted character, possibly struggling with her role in society, her personal identity, and her rela...

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Paul Bourget

"A Living Lie" is a novel written by Paul Bourget, a French author known for his psychological fiction and exploration of complex moral and ethical themes. Bourget's works often delve into the inner workings of the human mind and the intricacies of social relationships.In "A Living Lie," readers can expect a narrative that delves into the psychological depths of its characters, exploring themes such as deception, identity, and the consequences of living a falsehood. The novel may follow a ...

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Paul Bourget

The little drawing-room was illuminated by the soft light of three lamps—tall lamps standing on Japanese vases and bearing globes upon which rested flexible shades of a pale blue tint. The door was hidden by a piece of tapestry; two walls were hung with another piece, which was covered with large figures. Both windows were draped with curtains—drawn just now—of deep red colour and heavy of fold. The apartment thus closed in had a homelike air, which was heightened by the profusion of small...

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Paul Bourget

'The gates are closed, sir,' said the driver, bending down from his box. 'Closed at half-past nine!' exclaimed a voice from the interior of the cab. 'What a place to live in! You needn't trouble to get down. The pavement's dry—I'll walk.' The door of the vehicle swung open, and a young man stepped gingerly out, pulling the collar of his fur-lined coat a little more closely about his throat. The dainty patent-leather shoes that left just an inch of the embroidered silk socks visible, the pl...

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Paul Bourget

When a child, I went to confession. How often have I wished that I were still the lad who came at five o'clock into the chapel of our school, the cold empty chapel, with its white-washed walls, its benches on which our places were numbered, its harmonium, its Holy Family, its blue ceiling dotted with stars. We were taken to this chapel in tens. When it came to my turn to kneel in one of the two spaces on either side of the central seat of the priest, my heart would beat violently, and a fe...

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Paul Bourget

The novel tells the story of André Cornélis, a young man who rises to prominence in French society. André is depicted as ambitious and driven, and he navigates the complexities of love, ambition, and morality as he pursues success and social status.As André climbs the social ladder, he encounters various characters and experiences that shape his journey. The novel likely explores themes of ambition, morality, and the pursuit of happiness, as André grapples with the consequences of his acti...

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Paul Bourget

Excerpt: "That night (toward the end of February, 188—) a vast crowd was thronging the halls of the Casino at Monte Carlo. It was one of the momentary occasions, well known to all who have passed the winter season on the Corniche, when a sudden and prodigious afflux of composite humanity transfigures that place, ordinarily so vulgar with the brutal luxury of the people whom it satisfies. The gay madness that breaks out at Nice during the Carnival attracts to this little point of the Rivier...

by

Paul Bourget

Excerpt: "When a child, I went to confession. How often have I wished that I were still the lad who came at five o'clock into the chapel of our school, the cold empty chapel, with its white-washed walls, its benches on which our places were numbered, its harmonium, its Holy Family, its blue ceiling dotted with stars. We were taken to this chapel in tens. When it came to my turn to kneel in one of the two spaces on either side of the central seat of the priest, my heart would beat violently...

by

Paul Bourget

"A Tragic Idyl" by Paul Bourget is a novel set in the luxurious and frenetic world. The story explores the collision of desire, secrecy, and social ambition. At the heart of the plot is a secret marriage between a wealthy widow and a nobleman, set against the backdrop of extravagant gambling and social gatherings. The novel reveals how the characters navigate love and longing, often in conflict with societal expectations and personal desires. Amid the opulence and chaos of Monte Carlo's ga...