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Loading... Bel-Ami (original 1885; edition 2011)by Guy de Maupassant
Work InformationBel-Ami by Guy de Maupassant (1885)
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Sign up for LibraryThing to find out whether you'll like this book. No current Talk conversations about this book. 847461385X If you read this book, avoid this edition and go for one of the other translations. I found out much too late that this translation is deeply flawed. I simply could not make myself read it again in another version since I had no joy in reading it whatsoever. I have loved other works by Guy de Maupassant and suspect that the beauty of his language and construction have been lost in this reading. I have added another translation back to my "to-read" list. Bel Ami by Guy de Maupassant is set in Paris and depicts the belle epoque era as it tells the story of Georges Duroy, an opportunistic young man who grows more and more corrupted as the book advances. Georges is a user of people and doesn’t seem to care much if he is taking advantage of a male or a female. As he rises to success in the field of journalism, he does so on the backs of the people that have helped him achieve his position. At the beginning of the book, George is a handsome young man who is penniless and without prospects. At this point in the story it is possible to feel some sympathy for him but that quickly disappears as he begins to covet wealth and influence and climbs the social ladder by using his cunning, wit and his built-in appeal to rich and powerful women. It is all about what they can do for him. His nickname is Bel Ami which means beautiful friend, but his beauty is only skin-deep and his friendship is only for himself. Although peopled, for the most part, with selfish and soulless characters, I enjoyed this very short book. The Parisian setting showed a lively and pleasure seeking society, and the narcissist rake, George Duroy, was fascinating to read about.
35 livres cultes à lire au moins une fois dans sa vie Quels sont les romans qu'il faut avoir lu absolument ? Un livre culte qui transcende, fait réfléchir, frissonner, rire ou pleurer… La littérature est indéniablement créatrice d’émotions. Si vous êtes adeptes des classiques, ces titres devraient vous plaire. De temps en temps, il n'y a vraiment rien de mieux que de se poser devant un bon bouquin, et d'oublier un instant le monde réel. Mais si vous êtes une grosse lectrice ou un gros lecteur, et que vous avez épuisé le stock de votre bibliothèque personnelle, laissez-vous tenter par ces quelques classiques de la littérature. Belongs to Publisher SeriesIs contained inHas as a student's study guideDistinctionsNotable Lists
Fiction.
Literature.
Guy de Maupassant is revered for his naturalistic fiction, which brilliantly captures flesh-and-blood characters as it evokes the most telling details of everyday life. Considered one of the finest French novels ever written, Bel Ami follows journalist Georges Duroy and his increasing stature among the Paris elite. With an immense thirst for power, Georges is not above an almost gleeful use of wealthy mistresses to achieve his ends. No library descriptions found.
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Google Books — Loading... GenresMelvil Decimal System (DDC)843.8Literature French French fiction Later 19th century 1848–1900LC ClassificationRatingAverage:
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