Description: Easton Press leather edition of Madame de La Fayette's "The Princess of Cleves: A Novel," a COLLCTOR'S edition, Illustrated by Hermine David, Translated from the French by H. Ashton, Introduced by Jean Cocteau, one of the COLLECTOR'S LIBRARY OF FAMOUS EDITIONS series, published in 1970. Bound in royal blue leather, the book has baby blue moire silk end leaves, hubbed spine, acid-free paper, Symth-sewn binding, satin book marker, gold gilding on three edges--in near FINE condition---except for a 'hint' of fading to edges of moire silk. NOTES FROM THE ARCHIVES is included. Madame de La Fayette, who lived from 1634-1693, was born in Paris to a wealthy noble family. At age 16, she became the maid of honor to Queen Anne of Austria. The action of the novel takes place between October 1558 and 1559 at the royal court of HENRY II of FRANCE. Most characters are based on historical figures. Mademoiselle de Chartres is a sheltered heiress, sixteen years old, whose mother has brought her to the court of Henri II to seek a husband with good financial and social prospects. When old jealousies against a kinsman spark intrigues against the young ingénue, the best marriage prospects withdraw. The young woman follows her mother's recommendation and accepts the overtures of a middling suitor, the Prince de Clèves. After the wedding, she meets the dashing Duke de Nemours. The two fall in love, yet do nothing to pursue their affections, limiting their contact to an occasional visit in the now-Princess of Clèves's salon. The duke becomes enmeshed in a scandal at court that leads the Princess to believe he has been unfaithful in his affections. A letter from a spurned mistress to her paramour is discovered in the dressing room at one of the estates, but this letter was actually written to the Princess' uncle, the Vidame de Chartres, who has also become entangled in a relationship with the Queen. He begs the Duke de Nemours to claim ownership of the letter, which ends up in the Princess's possession. The duke has to produce documents from the Vidame to convince the Princess that his heart has been true. Eventually, the Prince de Clèves discerns that his wife is in love with another man. She confesses as much. He relentlessly quizzes her—indeed tricks her—until she reveals the man's identity. After he sends a servant to spy on the Duke de Nemours, the Prince de Clèves believes that his wife has been both physically and emotionally unfaithful to him. He becomes ill and dies (either of his illness or of a broken heart). On his deathbed, he blames the Duke de Nemours for his suffering and begs the Princess not to marry him. Now free to pursue her passions, the Princess is torn between her duty and her love. The duke pursues her more openly, but she rejects him, choosing instead to enter a convent for part of each year. "The Princess of Cleves" is considered the first French historical novel. 150 pages----including Historical Notes----a RARE title! I offer combined shipping.
Price: 34.95 USD
Location: Walnut Ridge, Arkansas
End Time: 2024-12-04T14:02:57.000Z
Shipping Cost: 8 USD
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Item Specifics
Restocking Fee: No
Return shipping will be paid by: Buyer
All returns accepted: Returns Accepted
Item must be returned within: 30 Days
Refund will be given as: Money Back
Binding: Leather
Signed: No
Publisher: Easton Press Famous Editions
Modified Item: No
Subject: Literature & Fiction
Year Printed: 1970
Original/Facsimile: Original
Language: English
Illustrator: Hermine David
Special Attributes: Luxury Edition
Region: 17th Century France
Author: Madame de La Fayette
Personalized: No
Country/Region of Manufacture: United States
Topic: First French novel
Character Family: Monsieur de Nemours, Chevalier de Guise, Monsieur d Cleves
