Part of La Comédie Humaine, book 5
First published 2000
Modeste Mignon waits in Le Havre while her merchant father seeks fortune in the South Seas. She begins writing letters to Canalis, a celebrated elegiac poet known for his career ambitions. What Modeste doesn't know is that Ernest de la Brière, Canalis' secretary, has been answering her correspondence. Ernest reads her words and falls deeply in love with the girl he has never met. When Modeste's father returns from India with his wealth restored, the deception unravels. News of Modeste's dowry draws Canalis himself to Le Havre, bringing Ernest along. A third suitor appears in the form of a duke. Three men now compete for Modeste's hand. She must choose between the famous poet she thought she knew, his secretary who truly knows her heart, and the nobleman who offers status and security.
Genres: fiction, romance, historical-fiction, 19th-century
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: enemies-to-lovers, love-triangle
Setting: India, Le Havre, South Seas
Period: 19th-century
176 pages · Paperback · Echo Library