Author
J. (Jules) Barbey d'Aurevilly
1808-1889
J. (Jules) Barbey d'Aurevilly (1808-1889) is a public-domain author available on Rivro. Read free books, explore subjects, and discover related classics.
Subjects
Books by J. (Jules) Barbey d'Aurevilly
L'Amour impossible; La bague d'Annibal
"L'Amour impossible; La bague d'Annibal" by J. Barbey d'Aurevilly is a fictional work likely written in the mid-19th century. This novel presents a portrait of social and romantic entanglements revolving around the character of Bérangère de Gesvres, a beautiful and enigmatic woman navigating the complexities of love and societal expectations. It explores themes of passion, ennui, and the perceptions of femininity within a highly stratified society. The opening of the novel introduces the marquise de Gesvres returning home from an evening performance at the theater. She is depicted as a striking yet restless figure, grappling with feelings of ennui and a past marred by betrayal. Her beauty, once a source of admiration, is now intertwined with a profound sense of isolation and disillusionment. As she reflects on her life, it becomes apparent that while she has experienced deep emotional pain, her current interactions are characterized by a detachment that leaves her yearning for genuine connection, even as she prepares to entertain a visitor entwined in her complex social web.
L'ensorcelée
"L'ensorcelée" by J. Barbey d'Aurevilly is a novel published in 1852. Set in Normandy after the Chouan uprising, the story centers on a former priest, the abbé de la Croix-Jugan, who fought alongside rebels and survived a disfiguring suicide attempt. Years later, he reappears at vespers, where noblewoman Jeanne Le Hardouey becomes mysteriously "bewitched" by him. The tale unfolds in a dark, supernatural atmosphere, ultimately leading to Jeanne's death under mysterious circumstances that leave haunting questions unanswered.
Les diaboliques
"Les diaboliques" by J. Barbey d'Aurevilly is a collection of six stories published in November 1874. The tales explore mysterious and enigmatic women confronting love, adultery, murder, vengeance, and resentment. Crimes emerge from passion or boredom in these provocative narratives. The work caused immediate scandal—selling out 2,200 copies in four days before authorities seized remaining copies for allegedly threatening public morality. Today it stands as the author's most acclaimed and famous work.
Philosophes et Écrivains Religieux
"Philosophes et Écrivains Religieux" by J. Barbey d'Aurevilly is a critical examination written in the late 19th century. The work aims to explore and inventory the intellectual landscape of the 19th century, focusing on its philosophers and religious writers, while also offering insights into the broader literary context. The author espouses a bold, irreverent form of critique that challenges prevailing norms and addresses the relationship between literature, its creators, and societal values. At the start of this work, the author dedicates his book to his brother, a priest, expressing a reverence for the religious authority and moral weight that priests carry, contrasting it with the often-creeping superficialities of writers. In the preface, Barbey d'Aurevilly outlines his ambitious project to catalog contemporary thought, echoing the attempts of previous critics like La Harpe, albeit with a more personal and incisive approach. He underscores the necessity of evaluating not just the works but also the individuals behind them, proposing a new form of literary critique that is unapologetically personal, clear, and fearless. This sets the stage for his examination of key figures and themes in both philosophy and literature that transcend mere historical relevance, presenting fresh perspectives on enduring intellectual debates.
Le Chevalier des Touches
"Le Chevalier des Touches" by J. Barbey d'Aurevilly is a historical novel written in the mid-19th century. The story is set against the backdrop of the socio-political turmoil of post-Revolutionary France, focusing on themes of loyalty, nostalgia, and the echoes of past conflicts. The narrative revolves around the enigmatic figure of the Chevalier des Touches, exploring his presence and the impressions he leaves on those who remember him. The opening of the novel introduces us to the quiet yet ominous town of Valognes during the late Restoration period. As the town's residents hunker down against the elements, a mysterious figure—a man with an elegant old-world appearance—arrives. He is later identified as an abbé who has encountered the notorious Chevalier des Touches, described in a haunting manner that captivates those gathered in the parlor of the Touffedelys sisters. This encounter sets off a series of reflections on the past among the characters, who are bound by memories, loyalty to the Bourbon monarchy, and the scars of civil war, foreshadowing a deeper exploration of their intertwined fates as the mystery of the Chevalier unfolds.
Punainen akkunaverho
Translation of Le rideau cramoisi, from the story collection Les diaboliques.