Vie de Henri Brulard, tome 1

by Stendhal

"Vie de Henri Brulard, tome 1" by Stendhal is an unfinished autobiographical work written in 1835-1836. At fifty, overlooking Rome, Stendhal reflects on his life—his loves, childhood, parents, and education in Grenoble. He seeks self-knowledge through what he calls an "archaeology of the self," tracing his hatred of hypocrisy, passion for mathematics, and love of Italy back to formative experiences. Through vivid visual memories and sketches, he explores how childhood shaped his character, creating an intimate portrait for his "happy few" readers.