LA FAYETTE, Madame de, Marie-Madeleine Pioche de La Vergne.

£500 · Offered by Peter Harrington · No longer available

La Princesse de Clèves. An early edition of one of the first psychological novels, concerning a married noblewoman tormented by her feelings for another man. Set in Henry II's court between 1558 and 1559, it is also one of the first historical novels. It was immediate commercial success upon its first, anonymous publication in 1678, although the depiction of adulterous feelings was controversial. Novels in 17th century France typically focussed on the wide-ranging adventures of a hero, which could extend over several volumes and often employed flamboyant language. Conversely, the drama in La Princesse de Cleves is contained within the characters' psyches, focussing on "the elements of violence and conflict in passion" especially "as opposed to the conventional love sanctioned by society" (McNeill p. 25). Further, the events of the novel span less than a year, and La Fayette's language is "innovative in its relative simplicity and concision" (McNeill p. 27). A near-contemporary female ownership inscription is found on the title page: "Honourable Mrs Boyd". This may be Jeanne Antoinette Wyandt (circa 1730-1763), who married the Jacobite Charles Boyd (1728-1782) during his years of exile in France following the Battle of Culloden.

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