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A review by katykelly
Bel-Ami by Guy de Maupassant
5.0
Refreshingly modern-feeling period piece; alluring, sly and dark
A translated classic, an easy book to read, and quite a dark one. It put me in mind of Les Liaisons Dangereuses in terms of the erotic nature of the plot, the scheming, the amoral characters.
A charming but impoverished former soldier is down to his last francs, wandering Paris in search in a turn of luck. Georges Duroy manages to secure a position through luck and a little determination, and thus begins a rise in society and his prospects.
Duroy is not an admirable role model - he is attractive to women, on the lookout for promotion, a good time, further fortune. I enjoyed walking around Paris in his shoes but did not like the man.
I developed a good feel for Paris at the time, and enjoyed the upper class perspective that Duroy manages to obtain for us.
There are some very modern-feeling women in the mix, several play significant roles in the story and in Georges's life, and were not shrinking violets. Very interesting to see this 'class' of woman.
The ending rounds it all off nicely, and shows just what you are meant to feel about the protagonist. It's an amusing and dark historical read.
A translated classic, an easy book to read, and quite a dark one. It put me in mind of Les Liaisons Dangereuses in terms of the erotic nature of the plot, the scheming, the amoral characters.
A charming but impoverished former soldier is down to his last francs, wandering Paris in search in a turn of luck. Georges Duroy manages to secure a position through luck and a little determination, and thus begins a rise in society and his prospects.
Duroy is not an admirable role model - he is attractive to women, on the lookout for promotion, a good time, further fortune. I enjoyed walking around Paris in his shoes but did not like the man.
I developed a good feel for Paris at the time, and enjoyed the upper class perspective that Duroy manages to obtain for us.
There are some very modern-feeling women in the mix, several play significant roles in the story and in Georges's life, and were not shrinking violets. Very interesting to see this 'class' of woman.
The ending rounds it all off nicely, and shows just what you are meant to feel about the protagonist. It's an amusing and dark historical read.