Red and Black

Author: (French) Stendhal
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2003-05-01
Features: Born into a poor family, Julien is intelligent and handsome, proud and rebellious. To escape poverty and live a wealthy and fulfilling life, he uses his own capital and goes to great lengths to win the love of Madame de Rênal, the mayor's wife. However, their affair is soon discovered by the mayor, and Julien is forced to leave Villeroy and come to the Seminary of Besan?on. There, Julien earns the trust and admiration of Father Pirard, the seminary's head. Soon after, he is invited to Paris by the Marquis de La Mole. But Julien does not forget Madame de Rênal's love. He secretly returns to Villeroy several times to meet his lover. Conscience-stricken, Madame de Rênal wants to break off this abnormal relationship, but she cannot resist Julien's sweet words and once again falls into his arms. In Paris, Julien uses the same tricks again, making the Marquis's daughter fall in love with him and secretly marrying her. Out of love turned to hatred, Madame de Rênal writes a letter to the Marquis, revealing Julien's plot to seduce her in order to achieve fame and status. Enraged, Julien shoots Madame de Rênal, leading to his trial. One of the jurors, Monsieur de Valnor, is Julien's rival. Julien is sentenced to death. After Julien's death, the two heartbroken women remember him in different ways.