A Life, Two Brothers

Author: Guy de Maupassant
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2002-02-01
Features: This book consists of two of Maupassant's renowned masterpieces, "A Life" and "The Brothers." In "A Life," the protagonist, Jeanne, of noble birth, yearns for a beautiful love and aspires to be a virtuous wife and mother. She marries the Marquis de Lamart. However, the latter shamelessly seduces Jeanne's maid on the night of their honeymoon and, despite the revelation of the affair, shows no remorse, instead engaging in an illicit relationship with the local Countess. From then on, Jeanne completely loses faith in her husband and places her hopes on her son. But when the son grows up, he becomes addicted to gambling and has a daughter with a prostitute, leaving home thereafter. The novel portrays Jeanne's life of continuous disillusionment and despair. "The Brothers" tells of the turmoil a peaceful family faces after receiving a bequest of an inheritance. It is truly exceptional in its depth and authenticity of psychological analysis.