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29 pages 58 minutes read

The Princesse de Clèves (The Princess of Cleves)

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1678

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Book Brief

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Madame de La Fayette

The Princesse de Clèves (The Princess of Cleves)

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1678
Book Details
Pages

288

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

France • 1550s

Theme
Publication Year

1678

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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Super Short Summary

The Princesse de Clèves by Madame de La Fayette chronicles the emotional turmoil of Mme de Clèves, a noblewoman wed to the Prince of Clèves despite her lack of affection for him. She and M. de Nemours, an eligible bachelor, are irresistibly drawn to each other, leading to intense internal conflict and earnest attempts to remain faithful. This psychological drama explores themes of love, duty, and societal pressure within the context of 16th-century French court life.

Contemplative

Romantic

Emotional

Melancholic

Mysterious

Reviews & Readership

3.8

18,267 ratings

48%

Loved it

33%

Mixed feelings

20%

Not a fan

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Review Roundup

Madame de La Fayette's The Princesse de Clèves is lauded for its pioneering role in the psychological novel genre and its intricate portrayal of courtly life and moral dilemmas. While praised for its nuanced character development and emotional depth, some critics find its pacing slow and the plot occasionally contrived. Overall, it remains a significant literary work.

Who should read this

Who Should Read The Princesse de Clèves (The Princess of Cleves)?

A reader who enjoys The Princesse de Clèves by Madame de La Fayette likely appreciates historical intrigue, courtly romance, and complex character dynamics. Fans of classic literature such as Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen or Les Liaisons dangereuses by Pierre Choderlos de Laclos would find this novel captivating for its detailed depiction of 16th-century French aristocracy and its exploration of love, duty, and morality.

3.8

18,267 ratings

48%

Loved it

33%

Mixed feelings

20%

Not a fan

Book Details
Pages

288

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

France • 1550s

Theme
Publication Year

1678

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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