Author
Catulle Mendès
1841-1909
Catulle Mendès (1841-1909) is a public-domain author available on Rivro. Read free books, explore subjects, and discover related classics.
Subjects
Books by Catulle Mendès
Véritables mémoires de Cagliostro
"Véritables mémoires de Cagliostro" by Catulle Mendès and Richard Lesclide is a novel written in the late 19th century. The book follows the life and experiences of the intriguing character Joseph Balsamo, also known as the Count of Cagliostro, who is depicted as a magician and alchemist deeply entwined in the historical and mystical events of his time. Amidst themes of magic, incarceration, and romance, the narrative invites readers into the complex world of its protagonist. At the start of the novel, readers are introduced to Joseph Balsamo, who is in a prison cell, reflecting on the turmoil of the French Revolution occurring outside his confinement. He ponders his prophetic insights regarding the revolution while recalling his life experiences, including his early years spent in a convent. The narrative then transitions to his adventures and relationships, touching on his numerous escapades with women and his ambitions as an alchemist. Fostered by an enigmatic past and a cast of colorful characters, Joseph's exploits set the stage for a rich tapestry of love, magic, and intrigue that unfolds throughout the book.
Les oiseaux bleus
"Les oiseaux bleus" by Catulle Mendès is a collection of stories written in the late 19th century. The book weaves fairy-tale elements with facets of human experience, exploring themes of beauty, love, and the illusion of happiness through the lives of various characters. The stories both reflect romanticism and critique social conditions, particularly against a backdrop of Parisian life. At the start of this collection, the narrative opens with a poignant scene where a delicate flower, once vibrant, falls into the mud during a festive occasion, symbolizing the fleeting nature of joy. A small girl from a poor background picks up the flower, indicating her innocence and longing for beauty amidst bleak surroundings. The story unfolds with the girl’s heartwarming interaction with her neglectful parents and the contrasts between her simple joy in the flower and the struggle for survival in a harsh world. Meanwhile, the surrounding characters, who are steeped in hardship, represent the broader societal issues of poverty and neglect, setting the stage for the exploration of hope and despair in Mendès’s vivid storytelling.
Jupe courte
"Jupe courte" by Catulle Mendès is a collection of short stories written in the late 19th century. It playfully satirizes Parisian manners, desire, jealousy, and shifting notions of modesty through witty, risqué contes with ironic twists. Expect elegant coquettes, blasé dandies, devoted friends, and ingenuous brides caught in audacious situations that probe the gap between appearances and appetites. The opening of the collection begins with a mischievous preface predicting a fashion revolution—bared bodies and veiled faces—as a metaphor for changing modesty. The first tales follow: a lover steals a rival’s intimate scent to win back her man, only to drive him back to the rival; a famed “repairer of jugs” (a fable on virginity) is confronted with a bride’s unbreakable vessel he himself once “fixed”; two inseparable friends link their boudoirs with an electric bell to synchronize their marital ecstasies, which leads one to yield disastrously during a daytime intrusion; a flawless beauty laments that her very perfection proves a handicap in love; a boastful cynic’s infallible jealousy trap is undone by a telltale blond hair; a Parisienne who rates lovers by the cigarettes she smokes afterward finds true stamina with a rustic; and a lady lowered from a hayloft disguised as a straw bundle is abducted by a farmhand who weighs her fate. The section closes by launching a new story in which a narrator posits that desire can transmit silently from one person to another, just as he begins a tale of his innocent young wife.
Le crime du vieux Blas
"Le crime du vieux Blas" by Catulle Mendès is a novel written in the late 19th century. The story revolves around the lives of a Basque family, focusing on the intricate relationship between the elderly Blas, his grandson known as the little Blas, and other family members, including Cadije, their strong-willed matriarch. The narrative is steeped in themes of love, sacrifice, and the harsh realities of rural life. At the start of the book, we are introduced to the characters in a warm, rustic farm setting. The aging Blas, now 71, navigates his days with a mixture of nostalgia and responsibility, helping to care for his six-year-old grandson, whose lively spirit brings both joy and mischief. The familial dynamic is further highlighted by Cadije's authoritative presence, as she manages the household and keeps a watchful eye over both her husband and her son Antonin, preparing them for the day's work. Tension builds as Blas yearns for the companionship of the little Blas, leading to an outing that will test the boundaries of duty and familial love, culminating in a profound and tragic event that shapes the course of their lives.