Part of La Comédie Humaine
First published 2006
Paul de Manerville finds himself caught between his mother's protective instincts and his desire for marriage in early 19th century France. When he falls for Natalie Evangelista, the beautiful daughter of a Spanish exile, the families begin delicate negotiations over the marriage contract. Paul's mother fears the financial arrangements will impoverish her son, while Natalie's mother sees an opportunity to secure her daughter's future. As lawyers draft terms and families maneuver for advantage, Paul discovers that matters of the heart become secondary to questions of property, inheritance, and social position. The young man must choose between his romantic ideals and the harsh realities of matrimonial politics, learning that in French society, marriage contracts shape destinies more powerfully than love itself.
Genres: classic-literature, romance, french-literature, literary-fiction, historical-fiction, 19th-century
Vibes: elegant, intimate, melancholic, socially-conscious, thought-provoking
Tropes: duty-versus-desire, family-interference, star-crossed-lovers
Setting: France
Period: Early 19th century
136 pages · Paperback · Dodo Pr