The Lock and Key Library The most interesting stories of all nations: French novels   By: Paul Bourget (1852-1935)

"The Lock and Key Library: French novels by Paul Bourget" is a captivating collection of French stories that offer a glimpse into the cultural and literary landscape of France. Each story in the collection is unique and engaging, showcasing Bourget's skill as a storyteller. From tales of romance to mysteries, the stories cover a range of genres that will appeal to a wide audience.

One of the highlights of the collection is the vibrant and vivid descriptions that bring the settings and characters to life. Bourget's writing is lyrical and evocative, drawing readers into each story and immersing them in the world he has created. The characters in the stories are complex and well-developed, adding depth and nuance to the narratives.

Overall, "The Lock and Key Library: French novels by Paul Bourget" is a delightful read that offers a glimpse into the rich literary tradition of France. Whether you are a fan of French literature or simply enjoy well-crafted stories, this collection is sure to entertain and delight. Highly recommended for anyone looking for an engaging and insightful read.

First Page:

At the beginning of the summer of 1850, a Russian nobleman, Count Kostia Petrovitch Leminof, had the misfortune to lose his wife suddenly, and in the flower of her beauty. She was his junior by twelve years. This cruel loss, for which he was totally unprepared, threw him into a state of profound melancholy; and some months later, seeking to mitigate his grief by the distractions of travel, he left his domains near Moscow, never intending to return. Accompanied by his twin children, ten years of age, a priest who had served them as tutor, and a serf named Ivan, he repaired to Odessa, and then took passage on a merchant ship for Martinique. Disembarking at St. Pierre, he took lodgings in a remote part of the suburbs. The profound solitude which reigned there did not at first bring the consolation he had sought. It was not enough that he had left his native country, he would have changed the planet itself; and he complained that nature everywhere was too much alike... Continue reading book >>