From the Bookshelf of Never too Late to Read Classics…

The Princess of Cleves

Madame de La Fayette,

Nancy Mitford (Translator)

Start date: January 1, 2025

Finish date: January 31, 2025

Discussion: Lesser Know/Wilderness Classics

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Lesser Know/Wilderness Classics

* 2025 Must Read Lesser Known Classics: Scheduled Reads
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2025 August: Ficciones by Jorge Luis Borges
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What Members Thought

Oct 09, 2008 Laura rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: 1001-books-you-must-read-before-you, classics, french-literature, e-books, read-2010, audio-books

Madame de Lafayette's classic tale of intrigue and love translated and freely dramatised by Jo Clifford.
Set in the 16th Century, the play follows the life of a beautiful young lady newly presented to Court. It's the reign of Henri II and Mary Queen of Scots is safely ensconced in France. It's a time of dangerous liaisons when one step out of line could ruin a woman and her family.
Quickly married off, the naïve Princess finds herself admired and taunted by those around her. And, whilst they gossi ...more

4 likes · Like · see review

Jul 29, 2011 Yair Ben-Zvi rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: favorites

A short but very long, very drawn out, and oddly passing novel. Considered the first French novel (and certainly better than the god awful first English novel ‘Pamela’) the story is a many layered satire, drama, and even once all things are wrapped up and considered, a tragic comedy. The historical context and significance of the novel notwithstanding, the story has aged surprisingly well. Granted, it’s told almost completely in exposition and many of the characters first introduced factor littl ...more

1 like · Like · see review

Aug 25, 2025 Annette rated it it was ok

Shelves: classics-read, books-by-women, serial-reader, atoz-2025, 2025

A royal court soap opera. Such drama. I realize this book has historical significance and that's about all that kept me going. It was not a fun read. ...more

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