The Princesse de Clèves: The Princesse de Montpensier, the Comtesse de Tende by Madame de La Fayette


The Princesse de Clèves: The Princesse de Montpensier, the Comtesse de Tende
Title : The Princesse de Clèves: The Princesse de Montpensier, the Comtesse de Tende
Author :
Rating :
ISBN : 0192826875
ISBN-10 : 9780192826879
Language : English
Format Type : Paperback
Number of Pages : 280
Publication : Published November 19, 1992

Poised between the fading world of chivalric romance and a new psychological realism, Madame de Lafayette's novel of passion and self-deception marks a turning point in the history of the novel. When it first appeared anonymously in 1678--in the heyday of French classicism--it aroused fierce controversy among critics and readers, particularly for the extraordinary confession which forms the climax of the story. It is now regarded as a landmark in the history of women's writing. In this entirely new translation, The Princesse de Cleves is accompanied by two shorter works also attributed to Mme de Lafayette, The Princesse de Montpensier and The Comtesse de Tende.

The Princesse de Clèves: The Princesse de Montpensier, the Comtesse de Tende Reviews

  • rowan

    the drama .. the slow burn .. the betrayals ….. slay

  • Louise Leetch

    This is what France has been reading. President Sarkozy took some flack for saying he disagreed with Mme Cleves action. What is at the core here is not a torrid love affair, a la Mme Bovary, nor is it a tale of revenge. It's really about ethics and the "mores" of the time. The heroine's temptations, her confession to her husband and resulting tragedy bring us into the seventeenth century. Should she have confessed when there was no sin? Did she do even more harm in her admission? It's a great discussion book and we know how the french love to "discuss".

  • Claire



    I love how people get the vapours and just keel over and die when they hear bad news in this book.

  • Jane Lew

    Not in scene and dialogue like modern novels, brief, telling not showing, but psychologically sharp and, ergo, chilling.

  • Aubrey

    First published 1678

  • Verity

    If all three stories had not been about "the most beautiful and witty women at court," it would have been easier to feel a connection to these women and the various states of love/infidelity they get into with, of course, the handsomest men at court. On the other hand, whether plain or fair looking, the heart of the stories still has relevance today, and can be seen in pop culture TV shows on every other channel.

  • Simon Reinhardt

    just the princesse de cleves