Bel-Ami (Penguin Classics)
by Guy de Maupassant
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According to The Week: "A Son of peasants goes to 1880's Paris to make his mark in the publishing world. How? He uses his charms on ladies. A hilariously dark and surprising contemporary novel."
This was an interesting read, eye-opening to how much a charismatic and dashing young man from humble origins in the late 19th century can seduce Parisian socialites for his own material gain. It's a bit of a satire, revealing the raw ambition of a seemingly polite and debonair man who ...more
This was an interesting read, eye-opening to how much a charismatic and dashing young man from humble origins in the late 19th century can seduce Parisian socialites for his own material gain. It's a bit of a satire, revealing the raw ambition of a seemingly polite and debonair man who ...more
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Read in January, 1985
First published in 1885 the main character is a turn-of-the-century social climber.
The book was written when Maupassant , at the height of his literary power, also knew he was dying of syphilis.There is a certain parallel in that there is a rollercoaster celebration of life and at the same time a great disdain for it.
Power vs weakness, glamour vs squalor and ultimately success vs failure.
Good book! Must read it again :)
The book was written when Maupassant , at the height of his literary power, also knew he was dying of syphilis.There is a certain parallel in that there is a rollercoaster celebration of life and at the same time a great disdain for it.
Power vs weakness, glamour vs squalor and ultimately success vs failure.
Good book! Must read it again :)
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recommends it for:
vin, luc, roger
i read this in school and am rereading it again in the french version. not sure what the translations are like, but Maupassant's French is still so current and this story could be set in today's UWS or in a posh inburb of Chicago or LA. Bel-Ami is a great, horrible character, and Maupassant is able to sustain his short-story telling talent throughout this novel.
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Read in May, 2005
Here's what I wrote in my book journal:
"Horrid 'hero' gets everything he wants and seems that there is no moral. Maupassant is supposed to be like Flaubert, but I thought at least in Bovary certain people got their desserts. I guess Bel-Ami is truly like real life-not always ARE the bad guys punished on early. What a hypocrite."
"Horrid 'hero' gets everything he wants and seems that there is no moral. Maupassant is supposed to be like Flaubert, but I thought at least in Bovary certain people got their desserts. I guess Bel-Ami is truly like real life-not always ARE the bad guys punished on early. What a hypocrite."
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Read in May, 1999
For many reasons, Bel Ami made me think of Evita, although in a bad way; you cannot help feeling sympathetic for him, as he keeps his life making up to people out of self-interest. Are we sometimes like that when it comes to society standing? Maybe we are and that's what keep us going. What a bad thought...
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Read in March, 2004
Brilliant satire and a scathing critique of a culture not all dissimilar from our own. Story revolves around a young man determined to climb the Parisian social ladder in turn-of-the-century France and does so by essentially sleeping his way to the top. Money, sex, power- it's all here.
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Brilliant portrayal of man who manipulates his way into the hearts of wealthy women to make a profitable match. I remember thinking when I read it, that it would make a great film. I always envisioned a young Ralph Fiennes in the role.
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Read in January, 2007
recommends it for:
Caitlin
Paris, Paris, Paris, its avenues where the cold winds of passion, poetry and eternity sweep and drag along the hearts of young beauties...
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i remember loving this book and i wrote a damn good paper on it. a definite reread.
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As much as it is possible to rate Classics! I'll go with the neutral/good "***".
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Read in July, 2007
I read this book in Russian translation. I loved it.
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