The Adventures of François / Foundling, Thief, Juggler, and Fencing-Master during the French Revolution

Name: The Adventures of François / Foundling, Thief, Juggler, and Fencing-Master during the French Revolution
Author: S. Weir Mitchell

By S. Weir Mitchell

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Adventure French Literature Novels

About This Book

The narrative follows François, an orphan raised in a religious asylum who becomes a choirboy and, after losing his voice, flees to city streets where hunger and circumstance lead him into petty theft, juggling, and the art of fencing. He drifts among entertainers, beggars, a protective companion, and an embattled noble, forming uneasy alliances and learning tricks for living. Against the background of political convulsion, episodes shift between comic streetcraft and brutal civic violence as he searches for a father, faces arrest and imprisonment, and confronts the moral ambiguities of survival, loyalty, and personal transformation.

About the Author

S. Weir Mitchell

S. Weir Mitchell was an American author and physician, known for his contributions to both literature and medicine in the late 19th century. His diverse body of work includes novels, essays, and stories that often explore themes of health, society, and personal struggle. One of his notable works, "Hugh Wynne, Free Quaker," is a historical novel set during the American Revolutionary War, reflecting his interest in American history. Mitchell's writings also delve into psychological topics, as seen in his essay "Fat and Blood," which addresses neurasthenia and hysteria. His unique blend of medical knowledge and literary skill has left a lasting impact on American literature.