Gao Longba - (Complete Translation)

Author: Prosper Mérimée
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-09-01
Features: The novella Hrombaba describes the unique and ancient custom of "family revenge" on the island of Corsica. After Napoleon's defeat at the Battle of Waterloo, Lieutenant Della Rebbia, who served in the imperial army, is forced to retire and return to his hometown, Corsica. On the ship, he meets Colonel Thomas Nevill, a British officer, and his daughter Miss Lydia, and the two fall in love. Upon returning home, he feels a special sense of tension in the village. The protagonist, Hrombaba, is the sister of Della Rebbia, a beautiful, intelligent, and eloquent mountain girl. She is a strong-willed, fiery-tempered, and bold woman, but she is also emotional and stubborn. Because her father was murdered by the powerful and influential mayor, Barichini, who was of legal background, she incites her brother to avenge their father. However, her brother, having been educated in civilization and with a sense of law, considers "family revenge" a relic of barbarism. Additionally, since her father has been dead for two years and there is insufficient evidence of the murder, he is reluctant to act rashly. He also worries that his love with Miss Lydia will be affected. Nevertheless, Hrombaba meticulously plans and cleverly arranges things, ultimately stirring up her brother's desire for revenge. The siblings eventually kill their enemies and avenge their father's bloody death. In the novel Hrombaba, Prosper Mérimée crafts a thrilling story of revenge with meticulous planning, concise language, and a brisk pace. The novel portrays Hrombaba, a stubborn and fearless mountain girl from Corsica, with a unique artistic style. She is strong yet gentle, brave and clever, making the story gripping and thought-provoking.