History in Vogue discussion

He surveyed himself some time with a complacent smile; then taking leave of his image, he bowed low, ceremoniously, as if saluting some grand personage

Returned from service in Algeria, Georges Duroy heads to Paris planning to build a fortune, only to find himself languishing as clerk in a railway office. A chance meeting with an old friend has Georges believing his fortune is about to change. Forestier, an editor at a large French newspaper promises to secure him a position and invites him to dinner the following evening with the head of the publication - M Walter.

At dinner, Georges is introduced to Charles's wife - Madeleine Forestier - as well as her cousin, Madame Clotilde de Marelle. He impresses M Walter with his knowledge of Algeria, and is promised a position with the publication on the grounds that he write an article of his experiences in Africa.

He determines to write the series required of him, but finds himself uncertain where to begin. He seeks help from Forestier, who sends Georges to Madeleine for assistance. With her help, Georges finds himself assured and enthusiastic about his new career - and inexplicably drawn to his friend's wife. But confused by a gentleman who arrives as he is leaving.

Charles secures him a place at the newspaper as promised, but he finds his friend's behavior toward him increasingly strained. Another reporter mentions it is to the Comte du Vaudrec's affection for Madeleine which Forestier owes his position. When Georges seeks her help with his article again, he finds her dictating to Charles as she had to him. Charles's hostile behavior toward him only serves to make him more determined, and despite his increasing disillusionment with his new career, he quickly becomes one of the most successful reporters in Paris. But he soon finds his ambition is only increasing.

Oh, I'm only in Chapter 2 here (making myself read it in French!)
I was glad to see your bit on the intro, as my free download has none. I thought he was supposed to be somewhat of a rake, and was then surprised to see that he was actually quite underconfident and insecure. But all it takes is a moment with a mirror, and he's feeling great again!

I was amazed at how forward the woman at the Opera was....for the times, I mean.

I felt sorry for GDs struggles to write his article about Algeria.

The trouble with a person letting someone else wrote for them is that it can inspire suspicion if one cannot keep it up or write more of the same quality. Very stressful.

I too was surprised at the behavior of some of those women for this time period.

Still a tiny bit behind, working through Chapter 3. The scenes where he's hanging out the window, day-dreaming, and then the train comes barreling out of the tunnel and reality comes crashing back? That reminded me of Madame Bovary, tracing her finger over the streets of a map of Paris.....

I'm still a little behind most, I think. Am into Chapt 3 or 4. Still, not really getting behind this character. Am surprised that I'm sort of ambivalent to him, because I thought he was supposed to be some sort of cad. What I see so far is someone who doesn't have much of a work ethic, who wants to have more while doing less. Hard for me not to judge him for that, but so far, not the worst person in the world.

Is he really so magnetic to women, or was Maupassant trying to make a comment on the morals of women in Paris at the time? Not sure. Because he seems to be taken by surprise that women would be this forward. If he's soooooo very good-looking that they can't resist him, how in the world did he get to this age without knowing it!?

Since I'm reading in French, I need to verify: is the friend who got him his job also having his wife write his work for him? And angry that Duroy stumbles onto this?
If that's true, then maybe Maupassant's making a commentary on the fact that this talented woman can only deploy her skills when a man needs them, because society doesn't allow her to. Am I reading this wrong?

Very good observations Linda.

Yes, Forestier's wife wrote George's first articles for him.

Keep reading and the author will reveal what she does for her husband.

I'm shocked at how forward these women are. I guess I'm used to reading Victorian lit where women were more repressed. I guess I thought that this repression was a characteristic of 19 C European society, now I'm realizing that it was more English/Victorian than universally European.

I also forgot to mention, the "appeal" (poor word choice) of Georges is to see what happens to him--how he'll get along--what he'll do next--where he'll end up.

He hadn't done anything to make me want to get in his corner or have hopes for him. I don't think he's very sympathetic in that way.

Andrea (Catsos Person) is a Compulsive eBook Hoarder wrote: "Very good observations Linda.

Yes, Forestier's wife wrote George's first articles for him.

Keep reading and the author will reveal what she does for her husband.

I'm shocked at how forward these..."

Hi Andrea,
Thanks, but what I meant to say was, "Is Forestier's wife also writing Forestier's articles for him? Because the second time Duroy has one due, he interrupts them at home, and I thought I understood that she was dictating and her husband writing. And her husband was annoyed that he had shown up (but I thought he was annoyed at being "busted"). Then he gives Duroy the big speech about how he had something due and he had to straighten up, and then sends him out of the street with St-Potrin, who blows off the interviews, because he sees it all as a joke.

Btw, that whole exchange was funny for me (forgive lack of accents)...."a quelle heure vas-tu interviewer a nos gens?" Omigosh, even in 1885, the influence of English or slang...wow. I thought that if there was a language/culture resistant to English influence, it would have been the Parisians..

Andrea (Catsos Person) is a Compulsive eBook Hoarder wrote: "Very good observations Linda.

Yes, Forestier's wife wrote George's first articles for him.

Keep reading and the author will reveal what she does for her husband.

I'm shocked at how forward these..."

I'm with you on that, Andrea. I wouldn't have been surprised with a 20th century situation, but yes, in the late 1800s, I thought pretty much all cultures were still a bit more staid.

Andrea (Catsos Person) is a Compulsive eBook Hoarder wrote: "I also forgot to mention, the "appeal" (poor word choice) of Georges is to see what happens to him--how he'll get along--what he'll do next--where he'll end up.

He hadn't done anything to make me ..."

Agreed. I don't know if I care what happens to him or not. If he's that sexually magnetic, you'd think he'd have discovered it years ago, and seduced someone rich with that moustache of his, and married into the money.

Hi I'm about 13% but very carefully not looking at any posts.

Going away on holiday tomorrow - see you when I get back.

Have a nice holiday Carol!

I do think Madame Forestier is the brains and M. Forestier is the public face of their partnership. I was surprised at her smoking cigarettes so publicly. I think this book highlights the stuffy English and American opinion that the French had no morals.

I'm not really into this story yet. It's taking me a long time to even get through a chapter. The introduction was too dense for me right now so I skipped it. Duroy isn't very appealing. He's lazy, dishonest and yet somehow manages to captivate all the women he meets. Even a prostitute is willing to go with him for next to nothing.

QNPoohBear wrote: "I do think Madame Forestier is the brains and M. Forestier is the public face of their partnership. I was surprised at her smoking cigarettes so publicly. I think this book highlights the stuffy En..."

I feel the same way, QNPoohBear. I try not to judge him for his lack of work ethic, but am finding it hard......must be bc I deal with too many at work like that, and I'm the one whose work is being stolen!