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Monsieur Beaucaire
The adventures of a dashing young prince who dispensed with protocol in selecting his wife. He hit upon the unique scheme of impersonating a barber in order to be perfectly free to choose the lady of his heart. The prince is actually Louis Phillipe de Valois, cousin of Louis XV of France, and certainly no gallant ever encountered more adventure in the pursuit of a bride . . .
115 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1900
6 people are currently reading
135 people want to read
About the author
Booth Tarkington
499 books184 followersNewton Booth Tarkington was an American novelist and dramatist best known for his Pulitzer Prize-winning novels The Magnificent Ambersons and Alice Adams. He is one of only four novelists to win the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction/Novel more than once, along with William Faulkner, John Updike and Colson Whitehead. Although he is little read now, in the 1910s and 1920s he was considered America's greatest living author.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
October 18, 2023
Some classics do not age well. And as a result, our gaze upon them becomes the question - is the book really a classic if it does not usurp and suspend time? Undeniably, it does not! Monsieur Beaucaire is just that. A classic that doesn’t age well, so is it a classic at all?
My first problem with this book is that it’s description gives away the punch line. Goodreads describes this book this way:
The adventures of a dashing young prince who dispensed with protocol in selecting his wife. He hit upon the unique scheme of impersonating a barber in order to be perfectly free to choose the lady of his heart. The prince is actually Louis Phillipe de Valois, cousin of Louis XV of France, and certainly no gallant ever encountered more adventure in the pursuit of a bride…
We are not supposed to know that Beaucaire is a young Prince, impersonating a barber, or cousin to King Louis of France until the very last chapter. Thanks Goodreads!
My second issue with Beaucaire is that the whole novel is dialogue. Nothing else. Plot points, descriptive information, and character development are all included in the dialogue which just makes the book choppy and hard to read and is really just lazy writing.
Thirdly, Beaucaire is able to ward off 15 attackers by himself. What do I mean by that? Beaucaire is an unbelievable character from the start. He can fight a whole army by himself. He can seduce any woman he wants. He is the most perfect, charismatic, and chivalrous person ever imagined! Which also to me points to lazy writing.
Lastly, the plot gets confusing. A prince impersonating a barber who impersonates a prince, who’s impersonating a gentleman who’s not a gentleman, but he really is a gentleman. Huh?
My first problem with this book is that it’s description gives away the punch line. Goodreads describes this book this way:
The adventures of a dashing young prince who dispensed with protocol in selecting his wife. He hit upon the unique scheme of impersonating a barber in order to be perfectly free to choose the lady of his heart. The prince is actually Louis Phillipe de Valois, cousin of Louis XV of France, and certainly no gallant ever encountered more adventure in the pursuit of a bride…
We are not supposed to know that Beaucaire is a young Prince, impersonating a barber, or cousin to King Louis of France until the very last chapter. Thanks Goodreads!
My second issue with Beaucaire is that the whole novel is dialogue. Nothing else. Plot points, descriptive information, and character development are all included in the dialogue which just makes the book choppy and hard to read and is really just lazy writing.
Thirdly, Beaucaire is able to ward off 15 attackers by himself. What do I mean by that? Beaucaire is an unbelievable character from the start. He can fight a whole army by himself. He can seduce any woman he wants. He is the most perfect, charismatic, and chivalrous person ever imagined! Which also to me points to lazy writing.
Lastly, the plot gets confusing. A prince impersonating a barber who impersonates a prince, who’s impersonating a gentleman who’s not a gentleman, but he really is a gentleman. Huh?
January 5, 2009
“Monsieur Beaucaire” is Booth Tarkington’s second novel which was originally published in 1900. It is would probably be considered a novella or novelette today due to its short length. The story is that of Monsieur Victor Beaucaire, the barber of the French Ambassador, the Marquis de Mirepoix, who uses the English Duke of Winterset’s cheating against him to force the Duke to introduce him to Bath’s society, and in particular Lady Mary Carlisle, as Le Duc de Chateaurien.
Monsieur Beaucaire initially gains the notice of Lady Mary Carlisle, but this gets the attention of other potential suitors, and Monsieur Beaucaire has to defend the honor of his queen, and his “friend”, the Duke of Winterset. Monsieur Beaucaire is successful in these initial attempts to defend his honor, but at the same time the reader learns that there is probably more to his story than they have initially been told. At the same time, the Duke has not forgotten the embarrassment of being caught cheating at cards, and the way he was used to get him to introduce a commoner into society. still holds a grudge. Winterset’s plot to expose Beaucaire works as he expects, but once again the reader is sure that there is something to Beaucaire’s story which is not being told. All is revealed in the end, when Beaucaire faces his doubters in front of the Lady Carlisle.
This is a very short piece, which can easily be read in one or two sittings, and it is a fun read. It is lighter in tone than Tarkington’s first effort, “The Gentleman from Indiana”, which is not surprising given the much shorter length. There is no character development to speak of, and unlike the first novel this is not one from which Tarkington is writing from his own personal experience, nor is it a story from the heartland of America which was his more usual setting. Yet, despite the light and almost superficial story telling, this book has been the basis for two movies. The first starred Rudolph Valentino and is a silent movie from 1924. The second is a Bob Hope movie from 1946. It also served as the basis for an operetta.
Monsieur Beaucaire initially gains the notice of Lady Mary Carlisle, but this gets the attention of other potential suitors, and Monsieur Beaucaire has to defend the honor of his queen, and his “friend”, the Duke of Winterset. Monsieur Beaucaire is successful in these initial attempts to defend his honor, but at the same time the reader learns that there is probably more to his story than they have initially been told. At the same time, the Duke has not forgotten the embarrassment of being caught cheating at cards, and the way he was used to get him to introduce a commoner into society. still holds a grudge. Winterset’s plot to expose Beaucaire works as he expects, but once again the reader is sure that there is something to Beaucaire’s story which is not being told. All is revealed in the end, when Beaucaire faces his doubters in front of the Lady Carlisle.
This is a very short piece, which can easily be read in one or two sittings, and it is a fun read. It is lighter in tone than Tarkington’s first effort, “The Gentleman from Indiana”, which is not surprising given the much shorter length. There is no character development to speak of, and unlike the first novel this is not one from which Tarkington is writing from his own personal experience, nor is it a story from the heartland of America which was his more usual setting. Yet, despite the light and almost superficial story telling, this book has been the basis for two movies. The first starred Rudolph Valentino and is a silent movie from 1924. The second is a Bob Hope movie from 1946. It also served as the basis for an operetta.
August 8, 2025
I continue to work my way through Booth Tarkington's novels. My favorites are Seventeen, Penrod and Penrod and Sam. I certainly think he's at his best writing about children and teens. You won't find car chases, holdups or hot sex in Tarkington's books. (Although this one does have a sword fight.). He wrote early 20th century heartwarming stories of (usually) young people making their way in life. My adult daughter lived in Indianapolis for quite a while and, knowing my interest, took me to see the house he lived in there.
Monsieur Beaucaire, published in 1899, was a very early effort, well before Tarkington really hit his stride. It's a novella that takes place in the genteel society of Bath, England. My wife and I visited Bath in 2017 just after we retired, on a private tour of Jane Austen's locales, both in her own life and for her novels. We had a wonderful lunch at the Pump Room, which is centuries old and also features in Monsieur Beaucaire.
Monsieur Beaucaire is the story of two gentlemen competing for the hand of a society woman. But are they both gentlemen ? This is all about class distinctions, proper behavior and honor. It also gives me the feel of an Edgar Allan Poe story. There's no element of horror, but the writing style seems similar, and there is a false identity at the center of the story.
Monsieur Beaucaire, published in 1899, was a very early effort, well before Tarkington really hit his stride. It's a novella that takes place in the genteel society of Bath, England. My wife and I visited Bath in 2017 just after we retired, on a private tour of Jane Austen's locales, both in her own life and for her novels. We had a wonderful lunch at the Pump Room, which is centuries old and also features in Monsieur Beaucaire.
Monsieur Beaucaire is the story of two gentlemen competing for the hand of a society woman. But are they both gentlemen ? This is all about class distinctions, proper behavior and honor. It also gives me the feel of an Edgar Allan Poe story. There's no element of horror, but the writing style seems similar, and there is a false identity at the center of the story.
February 3, 2023
A cool little book I found on my shelf and can now give away. I'd heard of Booth Tarkington so I thought I would educate myself. I liked it. Written in 1900. Pretty simple plot. Don't want to spoil it. Read it, but if you don't, not a huge loss.
January 18, 2014
Monsieur Beaucaire was an old reading copy with nice gilt decoration, a book that’s been sitting in my internet bookstore stock for too long. I gathered some books to sell as a lot, wanting to open up shelf space, and started reading it. I hadn’t read Tarkington since Penrod. This was a short book and I had to read it before I tried to auction it in a lot. That’s because I liked the initial plot about the aristocrat Winterset scamming while gambling and the Frenchman wittily blackmailing him. I’d forgotton how funny Tarkington was, and the book kept me guessing about Monsieur Beaucaire’s real identity since he could switch from French gambler to a name somewhat presentable to English aristocrats and easily fool a lady.
The book was entertaining and that’s what I wanted. I would have finished it in whatever mood. I like the ridiculous, but I’ll have to say that Tarkington wrote a sword fight in an individual way, differently from the usual perspective we see on film. I’m glad I read a book of his besides Penrod. I’ve got another book of his, collectible, and now I’m afraid to open it because it might re-arrange my reading.
The book was entertaining and that’s what I wanted. I would have finished it in whatever mood. I like the ridiculous, but I’ll have to say that Tarkington wrote a sword fight in an individual way, differently from the usual perspective we see on film. I’m glad I read a book of his besides Penrod. I’ve got another book of his, collectible, and now I’m afraid to open it because it might re-arrange my reading.
August 16, 2013
”Life Requires Patience, Sentiment and Honor”
Published at the dawn of a new century Tarkington’s second novel
is not representative of his subsequent works, in that it is not based on personal experience nor set in his beloved Midwest. A light-hearted
“costume” romance the plot centers on a barber for the French
ambassador, who arrives in Victorian England, where he is secretly smitten by a lovely English milady of noble birth. Normally he would have no way to gain an introduction to her exalted social circle, but he happens to observe a real nobleman, the Duke of Winterset, cheating at cards. Our hero uses this circumstance to blackmail the cheat—not for money, but for his silence and a formal introduction into Bath society.
Lady Mary Carlisle is gradually impressed by this French suitor, the Duc de Chateaurien (“castle-nothing”), whose sallies into Society disgust the irate Duke who must maintain a discreet silence. A nobleman’s honor/reputation is more important than even his life. All the elements of an adventure romance are present, as the real Duke plots to expose the fraud while salvaging his honor. Yet there are sublte hints that the author is deliberately withholding some vital information from his readers. Ah--it is cruel to trifle with a lady’s heart by living a lie, so
who is the worse cheat now?
A light-hearted read which inspired Hollywood movies and an operetta MONSIEUR BEAUCAIRE offers subtle themes for the discreet reader: External beauty often mirrors internal beauty. Also, that Honesty and Kindness are more praiseworthy than wealth and rank. (Well, an American’s egalitarian viewpoint, at any rate.) So how will Lady Mary react when her French Duc is unmasked? Or will he confess all to her and throw himself on her mercy? Will she ultimately regret her hasty decision? A literary soap-opera disguised as a period piece, related with the Yankee touch, this novella proves an amusing read for armchair swashbucklers.
(August 15, 2013)
Published at the dawn of a new century Tarkington’s second novel
is not representative of his subsequent works, in that it is not based on personal experience nor set in his beloved Midwest. A light-hearted
“costume” romance the plot centers on a barber for the French
ambassador, who arrives in Victorian England, where he is secretly smitten by a lovely English milady of noble birth. Normally he would have no way to gain an introduction to her exalted social circle, but he happens to observe a real nobleman, the Duke of Winterset, cheating at cards. Our hero uses this circumstance to blackmail the cheat—not for money, but for his silence and a formal introduction into Bath society.
Lady Mary Carlisle is gradually impressed by this French suitor, the Duc de Chateaurien (“castle-nothing”), whose sallies into Society disgust the irate Duke who must maintain a discreet silence. A nobleman’s honor/reputation is more important than even his life. All the elements of an adventure romance are present, as the real Duke plots to expose the fraud while salvaging his honor. Yet there are sublte hints that the author is deliberately withholding some vital information from his readers. Ah--it is cruel to trifle with a lady’s heart by living a lie, so
who is the worse cheat now?
A light-hearted read which inspired Hollywood movies and an operetta MONSIEUR BEAUCAIRE offers subtle themes for the discreet reader: External beauty often mirrors internal beauty. Also, that Honesty and Kindness are more praiseworthy than wealth and rank. (Well, an American’s egalitarian viewpoint, at any rate.) So how will Lady Mary react when her French Duc is unmasked? Or will he confess all to her and throw himself on her mercy? Will she ultimately regret her hasty decision? A literary soap-opera disguised as a period piece, related with the Yankee touch, this novella proves an amusing read for armchair swashbucklers.
(August 15, 2013)
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July 11, 2022From the Publisher
Throughout history, bit players on the sidelines have somehow become embroiled in the most notorious scandals, finding themselves wrapped up in intrigue with far-reaching consequences they could never have imagined. That's exactly what happens to the eponymous protagonist of Booth Tarkington's novel, Monsieur Beaucaire. This humble barber to the French ambassador to England finds himself at the center of a scandalous love triangle. Will Beaucaire be able to emerge with his honor intact?
Throughout history, bit players on the sidelines have somehow become embroiled in the most notorious scandals, finding themselves wrapped up in intrigue with far-reaching consequences they could never have imagined. That's exactly what happens to the eponymous protagonist of Booth Tarkington's novel, Monsieur Beaucaire. This humble barber to the French ambassador to England finds himself at the center of a scandalous love triangle. Will Beaucaire be able to emerge with his honor intact?
May 30, 2013
I went in to this book blind, only knowing that Booth Tarkington (The Magnificent Ambersons) was the author. I do like Tarkington's prose and the narrative was pleasant enough, but there is far too much exposition for a story this short. Also, the sheer amount of dialogue makes me think Monsieur Beaucaire would work better as a stage play that a prose story. It's not bad, but there's no rush to read it.
August 22, 2018
I only read this novel because I own an original 1900 edition which I bought for its pretty binding. I'm fine rating it a 3 but am SO looking forward to reading it aloud to my kids one day! It has action, plot twists, and what parent doesn't want to give an arrogant frenchman's accent a try!? I could also see this being a fun novel for kids to act out... maybe remove some of the foul language ("scoundrel" "dirty scandal-monger" "varlet" etc) depending on the age. ;)
March 11, 2020
When Booth Tarkington wrote Monsieur Beaucaire, it was quite a popular story. In fact, it was made into an early 1924 movie starring Rudolph Valentino, and later a comedy starring Bob Hope. For me, the story was short and somewhat formulated. It wasn't really long enough for the reader to become attached to any of the characters, and the ending was no surprise. Overall, however, the book was enjoyable and, somewhat, entertaining.
September 13, 2012
What an odd little work this is, but surprisingly likeable. Heaven knows where Tarkington got his notions of eighteenth century manners and morals from, and his notion of English spoken with a French accent makes the hero's speech a bit of a challenge - but it was an entertaining read nonetheless.
April 30, 2012
Despite the novella's extremely short length, Booth Tarkington manages to transport the reader, weaving a vivid and exquisite world in which to tell this engaging tale.
October 8, 2022
A dashing story of courtiers in France with a surprise ending -fun!
November 27, 2013
A real change of pace for Tarkington. A romp into France and an enjoyable one.
July 31, 2019
Tremendous entertainment. Great characters, comedy, action and romance. Reminded me of The Scarlet Pimpernel and Cyrano de Bergerac.
August 30, 2021
It was sitting on my shelf and it was short, so I figured I could finish it. I'm a bit at a loss as to what is so bad about being a barber. A good haircut is valuable!
September 7, 2022
Awful. An old copy of this was lying around my house -- no clue how it got there but picked it up one day. I honestly forgot I was reading it until I checked my "currently reading" list to see what I was currently reading.
I was halfheartedly giving the novel sympathy points for a while because it appeared to be a standard American skewer of hereditary aristocracy. Beaucaire is a French barber who cons his way into British high society and subsequently outcharms and outperforms the real aristocrats. HOWEVER, at the end he reveals that he was only PRETENDING to be a barber pretending to be an aristocratic: in actuality, he is Louis Phillipe, a French crown prince, so he actually has "better" blood than the rest of them. It's an American author simping for monarchy, at the expense of the landed gentry. Vive la republique.
But the worst part is Beaucaire himself, who is given long, long stretches of dialogue in a supposedly French comic dialect. But it's not... recognizably French? At all? His way of speaking is more like, one half minstrelsy figure, one half mentally-ill Italian.
This guy won the Pulitzer prize twice!
I was halfheartedly giving the novel sympathy points for a while because it appeared to be a standard American skewer of hereditary aristocracy. Beaucaire is a French barber who cons his way into British high society and subsequently outcharms and outperforms the real aristocrats. HOWEVER, at the end he reveals that he was only PRETENDING to be a barber pretending to be an aristocratic: in actuality, he is Louis Phillipe, a French crown prince, so he actually has "better" blood than the rest of them. It's an American author simping for monarchy, at the expense of the landed gentry. Vive la republique.
But the worst part is Beaucaire himself, who is given long, long stretches of dialogue in a supposedly French comic dialect. But it's not... recognizably French? At all? His way of speaking is more like, one half minstrelsy figure, one half mentally-ill Italian.
This guy won the Pulitzer prize twice!
November 22, 2024
This novella has a very similar feel to the type of humor you’d find in the three musketeers, just on a much smaller scale. I thought the Beaucaire was kind of a delight; he doesn’t take himself seriously and plays with the perceptions of everyone around him to his full advantage. It’s bite-sized and fun and maybe it’s just me, but reading his dialogue with the French accent just resulted in his voice sounding like Creepy Dave from TikTok, which made me laugh even harder. Also the authors name is BOOTH TARKINGTON. What were you expecting? A serious historical fiction? This book would make a hysterical play, I might even consider trying to adapt it myself one day if I ever run out of things to waste my time on.
January 13, 2021
This book felt like a disappointing shrunken cousin of great adventures like "The Three Musketeers" or "Scaramouche." The setting is a similar mix of swashbuckling and chivalry. But I had no attachment to the characters. I missed the rich development I had enjoyed in Booth Tarkington's "Magnificent Ambersons." This little novella is over almost as soon as it begins. Tarkington wrote it early in his career, so perhaps his style hadn't fully matured yet. I will have to give him another shot with a different book.
September 6, 2022
This story just seemed pointless to me. I think someone was better than someone because he was more or less "titled" than them? I don't know. Those people had a lot going on.
included in "The Golden Argosy" edited by Cartmell and Grayson
included in "The Golden Argosy" edited by Cartmell and Grayson
April 30, 2021
Different genre by this author, it was fast paced, intriguing and the ending was good.
July 8, 2022
Nice short book with an interesting twist ending
December 4, 2022
Well, at lest it was short.
June 25, 2023
No depth at all, petty adventure story without surprises.
January 3, 2024
Second Booth Tarkington read - this one shorter and still dated but still of some interest
April 27, 2024
Fun and light, feels like it would work well adapt3d to the stage
May 13, 2025
An historical literature from a time when this sort of writing was appreciated. Now it would be considered far too melodramatic and maudlin.
July 12, 2025
This is what happens when someone from the US midwest tries to write about a Frenchman and their ethics...
April 13, 2016
This is the first time that I've been disappointed by two time Pulitzer Prize winning author Booth Tarkington. I found this short novel to be too dated to be appreciated. This book is Tarkington's version of a 19th century romance novel, and it really isn't long enough to do the job. He needed more then one counterplot. I guess it's back to Tarkington's more noteworthy novels.
June 23, 2008
The dust jacket advertises this as "Booth Tarkington's gayest novel." Who am I to dissent?
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews