Camille - The Lady of the Camellias

Alexandre Dumas

Summary

In "Camille," Alexandre Dumas fils presents a poignant exploration of love, sacrifice, and societal constraints, encapsulated within the tragic tale of Marguerite Gautier, a courtesan whose terminal illness brings into sharp focus the moral dilemmas of her choices. Written in a naturalistic style, Dumas employs rich, emotive language that reveals the intimate inner lives of his characters while also critiquing the moral hypocrisy of 19th-century Parisian society. Drawing upon the principles of realism, he adeptly navigates the themes of love versus societal expectation, gender dynamics, and the impacts of the past on individual identity, establishing a deep connection with the reader through Marguerite's tragic fate. Alexandre Dumas fils, the son of the renowned novelist Alexandre Dumas, was influenced by personal experiences and the social milieu of his time, including his advocacy for social reform and his education on the struggles of women. Dumas's background, marked by the shadows of his father'Äôs legacy and his own encounters with love and loss, lends depth to his portrayal of Marguerite, infusing her character with authenticity. His literary career, enriched by themes of passion and morality, directs a critical lens towards the plight of women, a recurring motif in his works. "Camille" is a masterful narrative that invites readers to reflect on the complexities of love and the societal forces that shape human relationships. It is an essential read for those who appreciate literary works that combine emotional depth with social critique, offering timeless insights into the human condition. Whether you are familiar with Dumas fils or new to his oeuvre, this tragic story remains profoundly relevant, urging us to contemplate the true cost of love and the judgments that society places upon us.

Available since: 12/17/2023.

Print length: 173 pages.

Other books that might interest you

Lady Maybe - Revised 10th...

Julie Klassen

One final cry of terror, and suddenly her world shifted violently, until a blinding collision scattered her mind and shook her bones. Then, the pain. The freezing water. And as all sensation drifted away, a hand reached for hers before all faded into darkness. . . .  
 
In the midst of a fierce storm, a carriage carrying Sir John Mayfield, Lady Marianna Mayfield, and her lady's companion careens off a narrow cliff road, changing their fates forever. When the wreckage is found, Sir John is gravely injured, and a woman is discovered unconscious wearing a valuable ring. As the woman regains consciousness in a strange house, she grapples with fragmented memories of the accident, unsettling dreams of a child in peril, and a deep mystery tied to the ring on her finger. Surrounded by unfamiliar faces and haunted by a sense of foreboding, the survivor realizes she cannot trust anyone and must uncover the truth of what happened that stormy night, even as danger mounts and enemies conspire against her.  
 
In this revised and updated 10th anniversary edition of Julie Klassen's acclaimed novel, a woman's startling secrets lead her into unexpected danger and romance in Regency England. 
 
Lady Maybe is a clean Regency romance full of mystery, adventure, and a search for identity. This novel will delight fans of the amnesia trope, Julia Quinn, Jane Austen, and Mimi Matthews.

Show book

Flash and Dazzle

Lou Aronica

From the New York Times–bestselling author of The Forever Year, a “poignant” novel about best friends in crisis (Long and Short Reviews). Rich Flaster and Eric Dazman—aka Flash and Dazzle—have been friends since their college days, and they remain as tight as ever as their work starts attracting praise and attention in the advertising industry. Now Rich is being wooed by a high-profile agency in downtown Manhattan—but they have no interest in hiring his creative partner. Before Rich can bring himself to tell his best friend about the job offer, Eric receives a far more devastating piece of news: an upsetting medical diagnosis. His shy, beautiful sister arrives to give him support, and Rich is faced with an emotional challenge. He’s deceived his friend—however, there are a lot of things Eric hasn’t shared with him either. Suddenly, breaking up this two-man team takes on a more painful meaning—and, with time a precious commodity, Flash and Dazzle have to get past the superficial and connect on a deeper level.Flash and Dazzle is a story of men who have known the best of times as they come to grips with the worst of times, and of the friends and lovers who enter their orbit in relationships both brief and enduring. It is a story of legacies, burdens, and the kinds of secrets that are only revealed when there’s nothing left to tell. Funny, moving, and honest, it will inspire you to call everyone you care about and thank them for what they’ve given you. “A master storyteller. . . . He stirs emotions and senses that bring tears and laughter.” —Long and Short Reviews “A dynamic contemporary novel . . . fully engaging and worthwhile reading. Lou Aronica is a talented writer who uses subtlety rather than explicit description to depict the normalcy, quirkiness and fluctuations of honest characters.” —Crystal Book Reviews “Rich Flaster and Eric Dazman are so real; the reader will feel like they are part of the duo’s close knit friends.” —Literarily Illumined

Show book

Boys Come First

Aaron Foley

Three Black gay millennial men look for love, friendship, and professional success in the Motor City in this hilarious and touching debut novel. Suddenly jobless and single after a devastating layoff and a breakup with his cheating ex, advertising copywriter Dominick Gibson flees his life in Hell’s Kitchen for a fresh start in his hometown of Detroit. He’s got one objective—exit the shallow dating pool ASAP and get married by thirty-five—and the deadline’s approaching fast. Meanwhile, Dom’s best friend, Troy Clements, an idealistic teacher who never left Michigan, finds himself at odds with all the men in his life: a troubled boyfriend he’s desperate to hold onto, a perpetually dissatisfied father, and his other friend, Remy Patton. Remy, a rags-to-riches real estate agent known as “Mr. Detroit,” has his own problems—namely choosing between making it work with a long-distance lover or settling for a local Mr. Right Now who’s not quite Mr. Right. And when a high-stakes real estate deal threatens to blow up his friendship with Troy, the three men must figure out how to navigate the pitfalls of friendship and a city that seems to be changing overnight. Full of unforgettable characters, Boys Come First is about the trials and tribulations of real friendship, but also about the highlights and hiccups—late nights at the wine bar, awkward Grindr hookups, workplace microaggressions, situationships, frenemies, family drama, and of course, the group chat—that define Black, gay, millennial life in today’s Detroit.

Show book

Celia - The page-turning Regency...

Sophia Holloway

The page-turning Regency romance from the author of Kingscastle

First published as Bless Thine Inheritance by Sophia Holloway.
Celia Mardham's first London Season should have been a great success, but a near fatal riding accident has left her with a pronounced limp which means she cannot even curtsy, let alone dance.
Condemned it seems to spinsterhood, her mother Lady Mardham makes one last effort. She draws up a list of guests for a country house party, picking only young ladies who will not be rivals, as well as some potential suitors.
Among the gentlemen is Lord Levedale and when he meets Celia he sees her, not the limp. However, a number of accidents, misunderstandings and spiteful interventions litter the path ahead, and may succeed in driving them apart for good.

Show book

His Pregnancy Ultimatum

Helen Bianchin

A surprise reunion with a one-night stand leads to a shocking revelation in this captivating romance from the USA Today–bestselling author. 
 
Mia Fredrickson has no idea what possessed her to share the bed of a complete stranger. Her handsome lover turns out to be Greek tycoon Nikolos Karedes, and when he discovers Mia’s secret he insists they marry. But Mia refuses! 
 
However, as far as Nikolos is concerned, Mia’s resistance is only temporary. He will have again what he enjoyed before—Mia—using his exceptional seductive skills to place her at his mercy!

Show book

An Insatiable Passion

Lynne Graham

Fame and fortune can’t erase her memories of being in his arms. An emotionally powerful shared-past romance from the USA Today–bestselling author. 
 
As Kitty Colgan returns home for her beloved grandmother’s funeral she is determined to lay the ghosts of her past to rest. Gone is the innocently naive young girl whose heart was broken so terribly by Jake Tarrant, and in her place stands an internationally renowned actress full of poise and grace. 
 
But when face-to-face with Jake once more, the layers of cultivated sophistication drop away, for Jake is still incredibly attractive . . . and infinitely more dangerous.

Show book