La sirène Souvenir de Capri   By: Gustave Toudouze (1847-1904)

La sirène Souvenir de Capri is a captivating tale of love, betrayal, and redemption set against the stunning backdrop of the sun-drenched island of Capri. The story follows the young and beautiful Marie, who harbors a dark secret that threatens to unravel her idyllic life.

Gustave Toudouze's writing is evocative and rich, transporting the reader to the enchanting world of turn-of-the-century Italy. The characters are complex and multidimensional, their inner struggles and desires laid bare in Toudouze's lyrical prose.

The novel is filled with twists and turns that keep the reader guessing until the very end. As the plot unfolds, the stakes are raised, and Marie must confront her past in order to secure her future.

Overall, La sirène Souvenir de Capri is a masterful work of historical fiction that will keep readers enthralled from beginning to end. Toudouze's skillful storytelling and vivid descriptions make this novel a must-read for anyone who enjoys a sweeping, epic tale of love and loss.

First Page:

Nus comme la main, des bambins se roulent sur les dalles, rongeant un fruit, s'arrachant un jouet, courant après le sou du passant généreux ou du forestiere charmé de leur bonne mine. Sales, la figure barbouillée et les cheveux en broussailles, ils ont les chairs merveilleuses, le ton et la forme des enfants peints par Raphaël. A quelques pas, leurs mères et leurs soeurs, assises auprès d'un panier de fruits ou surveillant un fourneau allumé pour cuire le macaroni, se coiffent en plein air, faisant gravement la chasse à un insecte importun, lissant leurs cheveux et n'interrompant la natte commencée que pour crier leur marchandise, invectiver une voisine ou administrer une taloche à un marmot récalcitrant... Continue reading book >>