BOOK BRIEF

Bel-Ami

Douglas Parmée, Guy de Maupassant
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Bel-Ami

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1975

Book Brief

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Douglas Parmée, Guy de Maupassant

Bel-Ami

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1975
Book Details
Pages

416

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Paris, France • 1880s

Publication Year

1975

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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Super Short Summary

Bel-Ami by Douglas Parmée and Guy de Maupassant follows the protagonist, Georges Duroy, a charismatic former soldier, as he navigates Parisian society in pursuit of power and wealth. Through strategic relationships and manipulations within journalism and social circles, Duroy rises in status, reflecting the themes of ambition and morality in late 19th-century France.

Reviews & Readership

4.2

43,971 ratings

67%

Loved it

25%

Mixed feelings

8%

Not a fan

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Review Roundup

Douglas Parmée's translation of Guy de Maupassant’s Bel-Ami beautifully captures the novel’s essence, bringing out the richness of Maupassant's prose. Critics praise Parmée’s work for readability and accuracy, enhancing the satirical narrative of social ambition. However, some feel it occasionally lacks the nuance of the original French text. Overall, a commendable effort.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Bel-Ami?

Readers who enjoy classic literature with intricate character studies and themes of ambition, power, and morality will find Bel-Ami by Douglas Parmée and Guy de Maupassant captivating. Similar audiences might also appreciate the social critique in Madame Bovary by Gustave Flaubert or the realism in Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy.

4.2

43,971 ratings

67%

Loved it

25%

Mixed feelings

8%

Not a fan

Book Details
Pages

416

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Paris, France • 1880s

Publication Year

1975

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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