Romans et contes

Name: Romans et contes
Author: Théophile Gautier

By Théophile Gautier

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French Literature Novels

About This Book

A collection of novellas and short stories alternating romantic adventure and the fantastic, often centered on finely observed interior states and lush sensory detail. An opening tale portrays a young man wasting away from a mysterious melancholia, with prolonged attention to his decaying rooms, objects, and hollowed gaze. Subsequent pieces range from poetic pastiche to eerie supernatural incidents, offering ornate portraits of passion, ennui, and obsession. Across the volume polished prose and vivid imagery repeatedly examine the tension between outward appearance and inward decline, and the aesthetic pleasures and costs of beauty and longing.

About the Author

Théophile Gautier

Théophile Gautier (1811-1872) was a French poet, novelist, and art critic, known for his contributions to the Romantic movement. His literary works often blend fantasy and realism, showcasing his fascination with beauty and the exotic. Gautier's notable works include the novel "Mademoiselle de Maupin," which explores themes of gender and identity, and the short story collection "One of Cleopatra's Nights and Other Fantastic Romances," which reflects his interest in the supernatural. He was also a close associate of Charles Baudelaire and played a significant role in the literary culture of 19th-century France.