Bel-Ami
Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1975
416
Novel • Fiction
Paris, France • 1880s
1975
Adult
18+ years
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.
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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.
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.
43,971 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
416
Novel • Fiction
Paris, France • 1880s
1975
Adult
18+ years
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