- Paperback: 240 pages
- Publisher: Oxford Paperbacks; Reprint edition (1 Dec 1986)
- Language French
- ISBN-10: 0192817361
- ISBN-13: 978-0192817365
- Product Dimensions: 18.2 x 11.6 x 1.8 cm
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 875,949 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Product Description
Product Description
'I find the subject of my books in my dreams, ' said Dumas "pere," 'and my son finds his in reality.'
In 1844 Dumas "fils" began an affair with Marie Duplessis, one of the most desirable courtesans in Paris. After Marie died of consumption in 1847 at the age of 23, Dumas turned their liaison into one of the greatest love stories of all time. Armand casts caution to the winds as he pursues his passion for Marguerite, for whom love has become her only hope, her redemption even. But there is a price to pay. If all the world loves a lover, society calls passion to order.
Resisting criticisms of sentimentality, of an almost Gothic melodrama in certain scenes, and of a view of women that is hardly modern, "La Dame aux Camelias" still has the power to cast the spell that has fascinated generations of readers. Dumas's marvellously beautiful, intelligent, and vibrant heroine lives on in revivals of the stage version, in film and television adaptations, and in "La Traviata" Verdi's perennial popular opera. For Marguerite has long since attained the status of a myth. Dumas's subtle and moving portrait of a woman in love is a timeless antidote to the cynicism of every age.
In this translation David Coward has successfully combined a feeling for the formal proprieties of Dumas's style with a supple and colloquial liveliness that once again prove this story irresistible.
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6 reviews
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Best Book I've Read In A Long Time!
7 July 2000
Format:Paperback
This book was absolutely wonderful. At first I was worried because most of the time when I read a French book in translation, it seems lacking. This one definately was NOT lacking! David Coward did an excellent job of translating the book. The characters were definately believable, from the tragic Marguerite and Armand, to Monsieur Duval and Prudence. This book will capture anyone's imagination. I read this book in under 2 hours, I could not but it down. The story is exceptionally well crafted and what really makes it interesting was that it was based on a true story with Alexandre Dumas, fils, and Marie Duplessis, a popular courtesan in Paris at the time. This book is a must-read for anyone who loves romance and anyone who is interested in the events of France's past.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Must-read preparation for Verdi's "La Traviata"
26 Feb 2000
Format:Paperback
As an operatic soprano, I found it invaluable to read this Dumas classic in preparation for the role study of Violetta (Marguerite), the character in Verdi's opera, "La Traviata". Based on "La Dame Aux Camelias", the libretto concisely follows the plot of the novel. The novel provides much more background information which helps fill in the blanks left by the opera. One gets much more of a sense of the kind of life the heroine is leading, her extreme youth, and the financial circumstances surrounding her life and death. It is interesting how the opera librettist threw in more dramatic conventions for more of a punch: for instance, Alfredo (Armand) humiliating at a party after she leaves him, and the father revealing the truth to his son, which he tells the heroine in a letter, and which leads both men to her side for her death bed scene.
I highly recommend this novel to any opera lovers and singers, as I would recommend the opera to anyone who has enjoyed this book.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Tragic love affair that inspired La Traviata
2 Dec 1998
Format:Paperback
More popularly known as "Camille", this wonderous romance continues to enthrall 150 years after its publication. It's all about an affair between playboy Armand and beautiful courtesan Marguerite; Armand is torn by jealousy over Marguerite's relationships with other men and is prepared to throw his life away to have her. But Marguerite sacrifices her one chance for happiness to ensure that Armand not lose face within society. Dumas based this on one of his own love affairs, and the passionate prose betrays this. It's a magnificent, exquisite love story, a tale to be cherished.
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