From the Bookshelf of Reading 1001

The Princess of Cleves
by
Start date
November 1, 2011
Finish date
November 30, 2011

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Sara
Madamoiselle de Chartres is sheltered young woman, brought to the splendors of the French Court to make a good marriage. Her mother raised her, for the time, very unique ideals regarding virtue and love. When the best matches withdraw due to reasons of court, the young woman marries a suitor who is desperately in love with her though she has no reciprocal feelings. She soon finds herself in love with another man but the sense of duty she feels for her husband does not allow her to pursue her inc ...more
Kristel
Written in 1678, this novel can claim to be the first historical novel of the French court of the preceding century and it is also a novel of analysis examining emotions and attitudes. The primary object of the novel is morals but it avoids over simplification of judgments. Love in marriage was a novel idea. Marriage was for social status and mistresses were for love. This book is relatively short and addresses marriage, love and doing the honorable thing. The Princess of Cleves falls in love wi ...more
Tiffany
It takes some time to get into, and the character names/titles can be confusing (actually reminded me a bit of Tale of Genji in that sense--people are referred to by their titles so often you can forget who they actually are) but it was interesting once I got into it and it's quite brief. Of course, I have a hard time with all that female self-sacrifice and virtue. But whatever. Nice look into the ins and outs and intrigues of court life in 16th century France. ...more
Rosemary
Oct 18, 2023 rated it really liked it  ·  review of another edition
Shelves: 1001-books
An early French historical novel, published in 1678 and set over 100 years before, during the reign of Henri II of France, which ended in 1559 (the first year of the reign of Elizabeth I in England). Among the nobles at court is the young Mme (or princess - the title seems to be used rather haphazardly) of Cleves. She is married to a good man who loves her, but unfortunately she does not love him in return. She quickly falls in love with someone else, but she is determined to maintain her virtue ...more
Alec
Jul 21, 2011 rated it really liked it  ·  review of another edition
Charisma
Nov 29, 2011 rated it really liked it  ·  review of another edition
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Marek
Mar 19, 2013 marked it as to-read  ·  review of another edition
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Chinook
Dec 16, 2014 marked it as to-read  ·  review of another edition
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Liz M
Jan 29, 2016 marked it as do-not-own  ·  review of another edition
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Haaze
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themis
May 29, 2017 marked it as to-read-before-you-die  ·  review of another edition
Yvonne
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Tim Hickman
Nov 26, 2017 marked it as to-read  ·  review of another edition
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Sorobai
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Idit
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Jen
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Elena
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