Bama Monastery (Includes CD)

Author: Stendhal
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2003-08-01
Features: The Charterhouse of Parma is set in the life of post-Napoleonic Italy. It reflects the historical process from 1796, when Napoleon's invasion brought capitalism to Italy, to 1844, when Italy fell under Austrian rule again after Napoleon's defeat. It also depicts the struggles between Italian families and the conflicts of ideas of the era. The protagonist Fabrice, like the author, admired Napoleon. However, when he went to join this emperor, he arrived just in time for the defeat at Waterloo. Later, this experience made him a target of pursuit. He joined the church and spent his life on love affairs and indulgence, eventually retreating to the Charterhouse of Parma, where he died in melancholy. The story is intricate and moving, with vivid characters that highlight the changes of the times. It shares similarities with The Red and the Black, but also has clear differences. Its plot is more tense and legendary, and the author wrote it with more lyrical expression. In fact, this work was never fully completed—the last few chapters only contain a summary of the story—and the entire work was written by the author in just over a month. It was the only successful work the author achieved during his lifetime, as it earned praise from Balzac.