The Devil’s Pool - Background Info

[Deborah, Moderator]

Sand is easily the best known 19th century French woman write. Born Aurore Dupin, the daughter of both an aristocrat (father) and a woman of humble social origins. Brought up by her paternal grandmother who fostered her independent spirit. She was sent to a convent for further education.

She married at 18 but found it oppressive. She left her husband to live with the young writer, Jules Sandeau. She derived Sand from his last name as her pen name. She had several affairs with such people as Alfred de Musset, Franz Liszt, and Frederick Chopin.