1909 BEL AMI GUY DE MAUPASSANT ILLS LTHR ONLY 1K COPIES

EDITION DE LUXE

THE WORKS OF GUY DE MAUPASSANT

BEL AMI

Guy De Maupassant; 1909; First Edition Thus, Vol. IV, Complete in Itself; Limited; New York, Printed Privately for Subscribers Only; Leather; Illustrated; 5.8"x 8.7"; 385 Pages; Rare!!

Great for any fan of the Famous French Author or Collector.  Great on a Shelf; Limited to only 1,000 Copies and Privately Printed!!!

Attributes:

A Beautiful, sleek marble cover design with beige leather binding and corners, ornate gold binding with labels, gold tops of pages, marble end pages, with a lovely frontispiece and title page on Japanese Vellum, and 10 other Wonderful illustrations and a great Classic Read; Nice Size!!!

Summary:

The story chronicles Georges Duroy's corrupt rise to power from a poor ex-NCO to one of the most successful men in Paris, most of which he achieves by manipulating a series of powerful, intelligent, and wealthy mistresses.

The novel is set in Paris in the upper-middle class environment of the leading journalists of the newspaper La Vie Française and their friends. It tells the story of Georges Duroy, who has spent three years of military service in Algeria. After six months working as clerk in Paris, an encounter with his former comrade, Forestier, enables him to start a career as a journalist. From a reporter of minor events and soft news, he gradually climbs his way up to chief editor. Duroy initially owes his success to Forestier’s wife who helps him write his first articles and, when he later starts writing lead articles, she adds an edge and poignancy to them. At the same time, she uses her connections among leading politicians to provide him with behind the scenes information which allows him to become actively involved in politics. Duroy is also introduced to many politicians in Mme Forestier’s drawing-room. Duroy becomes the lover of Forestiers' friend Mme de Marelle, another influential woman. Duroy later tries to seduce Madeleine Forestier to get even with her husband, but she repulses Duroy’s sexual advances and offers that they become true friends without ulterior motives instead.

In a few months, Charles Forestier’s health deteriorates and he travels to the south of France to regain his health. Soon afterwards, Duroy receives a letter from Madeleine imploring him to come to join her and help her bear the last moments of her husband’s life. As Forestier dies, Duroy asks Madeleine to marry him. After a few weeks to consider, she agrees. Georges now signs his articles Du Roy in order to add prestige to his name. The married couple travel to Normandy, the region of Georges’s childhood, and meet his peasant parents. Finding the reality different than her romantic expectations, Madeleine feels very uncomfortable with his parents and so their stay with them is short. In the newspaper office, Duroy is ridiculed for having his articles written by his wife, just as the late Forestier had his articles written by her. His newspaper colleagues call him ‘Forestier’, which drives Georges mad and he suddenly becomes heavily jealous of Madeleine, insisting that she admit having been unfaithful to Forestier. However, she never admits that.

Background:

Henri René Albert Guy de Maupassant (French pronunciation: [ɡi də mopasã]) (5 August 1850 – 6 July 1893) was a popular 19th-century French writer and considered one of the fathers of the modern short story.

A protégé of Flaubert, Maupassant's stories are characterized by their economy of style and efficient, effortless dénouement. Many of the stories are set during the Franco-Prussian War of the 1870s and several describe the futility of war and the innocent civilians who, caught in the conflict, emerge changed. He also wrote six short novels.

In 1880 he published what is considered his first masterpiece, "Boule de Suif", which met with an instant and tremendous success. Flaubert characterized it as "a masterpiece that will endure." This was Maupassant's first piece of short fiction set during the Franco-Prussian War, and was followed by short stories such as "Deux Amis," "Mother Savage," and "Mademoiselle Fifi."

Condition:

Condition is Good+/Very Good.  Some wear to edges, few marks/scuff to leather, pages are excellent, hinges/text block are very good/excellent.  Overall, for 100 years old its in Good+/Very Good Condition!!!