| Author |
Balzac, Honoré de, 1799-1850 |
| Translator |
Marriage, Ellen, 1865-1946 |
| Uniform Title |
Adieu. English
|
| Title |
Farewell
|
| Note |
Reading ease score: 78.0 (7th grade). Fairly easy to read.
|
| Note |
Wikipedia page about this book: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adieu_(short_story)
|
| Credits |
Produced by Dagny, John Bickers, and David Widger
|
| Summary |
"Farewell" by Honoré de Balzac is a poignant novel written during the early 19th century, a time characterized by monumental social and political changes in France. This work intertwines themes of love, loss, and the psychological impacts of trauma, focusing on the tragic aftermath of the Napoleonic Wars. It explores the lives of its characters against the backdrop of the devastating effects of war, particularly highlighting emotional scars rather than just physical ones. The story revolves around Colonel Philip de Sucy and the Comtesse de Vandieres, whose lives are irrevocably altered by the horrors of war. After witnessing the chaos and despair of the retreat across the Beresina River, Philip struggles with the madness that befalls his beloved Stephanie, who loses her sanity due to the trauma of their experiences. The narrative delves deep into Philip's anguish as he desperately seeks to restore her from her state of insanity. Through poignant encounters, heartfelt memories, and a relentless quest for love, Balzac presents a tragic and emotional tale about the enduring effects of war, the fragility of the human psyche, and the bittersweet nature of hope and memory. As the story culminates in a heartbreaking climax, it leaves readers grappling with the complexities of love and loss. (This is an automatically generated summary.)
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| Language |
English |
| LoC Class |
PQ: Language and Literatures: Romance literatures: French, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese
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| Subject |
France -- Social life and customs -- Fiction
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| Category |
Text |
| EBook-No. |
5873 |
| Release Date |
Jun 1, 2004 |
| Most Recently Updated |
Jan 27, 2021 |
| Copyright Status |
Public domain in the USA. |
| Downloads |
95 downloads in the last 30 days. |
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