Author
Gérard de Nerval
1808-1855
Gérard de Nerval (1808-1855) is a public-domain author available on Rivro. Read free books, explore subjects, and discover related classics.
Subjects
Books by Gérard de Nerval
Le rêve et la vie - Les filles du feu - La bohème galante
"Le rêve et la vie - Les filles du feu - La bohème galante" by Gérard de Nerval is a collection of poetic essays and narrative reflections written in the mid-19th century. The work delves into themes of dreams, love, and the metaphysical aspect of existence, with a focus on the author's complex relationship with a woman named Aurélia. The text explores the intersection of reality and dreams, revealing the inner workings of the mind and the emotional turmoil associated with love and loss. The opening of the collection introduces the concept of dreams as a second life, where the author grapples with feelings of loss following Aurélia's departure from his life. He reflects on personal struggles with emotional attachment and the desire to escape into dreamy reveries, suggesting a profound connection between the conscious and unconscious realms. The narrative intertwines elements of mysticism, philosophy, and personal memoir, as Nerval prepares to share an introspective journey that contemplates the nature of existence, the afterlife, and the interplay of memory and reality.
Sylvie: souvenirs du Valois
"Sylvie: souvenirs du Valois" by Gérard de Nerval is a novella published in 1853. Set between memory and present, it follows a narrator haunted by his love for three unattainable women: Sylvie, a peasant girl from his youth; Aurélie, a seductive Parisian actress; and Adrienne, a noble beauty who enters a convent. Moving between past and present, the story explores unrequited love and lost ideals through lyrical prose that captivated writers from Proust to Breton, earning its place as a masterpiece of French Romanticism.
Voyage en Orient, Volume 2: Les nuits du Ramazan; De Paris à Cythère; Lorely
"Voyage en Orient, Volume 2: Les nuits du Ramazan; De Paris à Cythère; Lorely" by Gérard de Nerval is a narrative work likely written in the late 19th century. This book serves as a travelogue that vividly recounts the author’s experiences in Constantinople, depicting the intertwining of cultures and the complex social tapestry of the city, especially during the month of Ramadan. At the start of the narrative, the protagonist reflects on the vibrant yet chaotic nature of Constantinople, contrasting its rich history with contemporary tensions. He recounts an unsettling incident in the Balik-Bazar, where he witnesses the decapitated body of an Armenian man, highlighting the religious fervor and violent repercussions of cultural transgressions in the city. Throughout the opening, the protagonist traverses the bustling bazaars, engages with diverse communities, and observes the melancholic figure of the Sultan, all while establishing a sense of foreboding amidst the beauty and complexity of this Oriental backdrop.
Voyage en Orient, Volume 1: Les femmes de Caire; Druses et Maronites
"Voyage en Orient, Volume 1: Les femmes de Caire; Druses et Maronites" by Gérard de Nerval is a literary travel account published in 1851. This highly personal journey through the Orient blends Nerval's actual experiences in Egypt and Lebanon with oriental tales like the story of Solomon and the Queen of Sheba. Symbolism and esotericism permeate this poetic construction, where the author seeks to uncover common origins among different civilizations. The work captures both the reality of his travels and the literary fashions of his time.
Aurelia, oder, Der Traum und das Leben
"Aurelia, oder, Der Traum und das Leben" by Gérard de Nerval is a narrative written in 1855. At the end of his life, Nerval penned this unfinished work to free himself from his emotions and describe his mental state during episodes of madness. The story follows a man devastated by losing a woman he had "deified," convinced he will soon die. Blending narrative, speech, and letter forms, the work follows the logic of dreams as the protagonist recounts and reflects on his visions. Nerval was found dead with the manuscript in his pocket.