Product Description
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. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Courtly love
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".

One of the most beautiful love stories I have ever read
This book is a passionate tale of a love like no other.Set in a rich, historical period, the author offers a glimpse into the life of French court society, and into the true meaning of love ... Read more