L'Ingénue Libertine

by Colette

"L'Ingénue Libertine" by Colette is a novel published in 1909. Young Minne, a pretty girl from a respectable Parisian family, finds herself bored with her comfortable, predictable life. She secretly dreams of criminals and adventure, reading about bandits in the newspaper. One night, she ventures into Paris seeking excitement. Years later, married to her cousin Antoine, Minne pursues pleasure outside her unfulfilling marriage. But happiness may arrive when she least expects it.