Review: La Dame aux Camélias

La Dame aux Camélias 

by Alexandre Dumas fils

Translated from the French by David Coward

first published in 1844

ABOUT THE BOOK
Set in 19th century France, "La Dame aux Camélias" is the love story of Marguerite Gautier and Armand Duvall. Their relationship is passionate, but it ends tragically because of Marguerite's lifestyle as a courtesan and the manipulations of Armand's father. The book is based on the true story of the author's relationship with French courtesan Marie Duplessis.

THE OPERA

La Traviata by Rafał Olbiński

I love Olbiński's work. You can see more of it HERE.

Giuseppe Verdi's 1853 opera "La Traviata" (which I adore) is based on "La Dame aux Camélias." This clip features Anna Netrebko and Rolando Villazon in a spectacular modernized version of "La Traviata."

MY THOUGHTS ON THE BOOK
It's maudlin and melodramatic. Armand is immature and impetuous. Marguerite is imperious and materialistic.

So why did I like it?

I was fascinated by the glimpses into this society and the lifestyle of the courtesan. Even though the main characters are not especially likeable, they are a reflection of this society. I found myself believing in their love story, and desperately hoping it could somehow work out. It's immensely readable and beautifully written.

"When your life has become so dependent on a habit as strong as our habit of loving, it hardly seems possible that the habit can broken without also demolishing everything else which buttresses your life."

The ending is heartbreaking and lovely, as Marguerite reveals in a letter to Armand all that transpired to lead to the end of their relationship. And even though Marguerite's eventual death is revealed in the first chapter, when it finally happens it is almost unbearable.

RATING

I read this book for the Paris In July blog event.