The Princess of Cleves: Novel
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About this book
Perhaps one of the greatest works of French literature is Madame de Lafayettes The Princess of Clves often described as the first of all modern novels. This classic translation with an introduction by the late English novelist and biographer Nancy Mitford was first brought out in 1951 by New Directions. It is now available as a New Directions Paperbook. Published in 1678 and written by Marie Madeleine Roche de la Vergne Countess de Lafayettea Parisian lady of fashion and great witit recreates with matchless vitality the lives and loves of the sixteenth-century courtiers of King Henry II of France. In her exquisite tapestry we encounter such historic figures as Diane de Poitiers the kings mistress; Catherine de Mdicis his queen; the doomed Mary Stuart Queen of Scotland. It tells the story of the consuming passion of the young Duc de Nemours for the beautiful wife of his friend the Prince of Clves. Madame de Svigne the great letter writer and life-long friend of Madame de Lafayette called The Princess of Clves one of the most charming things. It is still thatand it is also one of the truly great love stories of all literature.
