The Princess of Cleves (Paperback) (ISBN-13: 9780811210706)

Perhaps one of the greatest works of French literature is Madame de Lafayette's The Princess of Cleves, often described as the first of all "modern" novels. This classic translation, with an introduction, by the late English novelist and biographer Nancy Mitford, was first brought out in 1951 by New Directions. It is now available as a New Directions Paperbook. Published in 1678 and written by Marie Madeleine Roche de la Vergne, Countess de Lafayette--a Parisian lady of fashion and great wit--it recreates with matchless vitality the lives and loves of the sixteenth-century courtiers of King Henry II of France. In her exquisite tapestry, we encounter such historic figures as Diane de Poitiers, the kings mistress; Catherine de M馘icis, his queen; the doomed Mary Stuart, Queen of Scotland. It tells the story of the consuming passion of the young Duc de Nemours for the beautiful wife of his friend the Prince of Cleves. Madame de S騅igne, the great letter writer and life-long friend of Madame de Lafayette, called The Princess of Cleves "one of the most charming things." It is still that--and it is also one of the truly great love stories of all literature.

Author: Madame De La Fayette
ISBN-10: 0811210707
ISBN-13: 9780811210706
Publisher: New Directions Publishing Corporation
Language: English
Published: 09/17/1988
Pages: 207
Format: Paperback
Weight: 0.57lbs
Size: 8.10h x 5.18w x 0.65d