Le roman bourgeois: Ouvrage comique by Antoine Furetière
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Forget everything you think you know about 17th-century French literature. Antoine Furetière's Le Roman Bourgeois throws out the rulebook. Published in 1666, it deliberately ignores the epic romances and high-society dramas that were all the rage. Instead, it turns its attention to the heart of Paris: the striving, scheming, and sometimes silly world of the middle class.
The Story
The book doesn't follow one single plot. It's more like a series of connected sketches and short stories that paint a full picture of bourgeois life. We meet characters like Javotte, a young woman whose main goal is to marry well (and by 'well,' she means someone with money and a title). We see lawyers navigating petty lawsuits, families obsessing over their reputations, and everyone trying to climb the social ladder. The central 'drama' revolves around contracts, inheritances, gossip, and the endless pursuit of appearing more important than you are.
Why You Should Read It
I loved this book because it's so human and surprisingly modern. Furetière isn't writing about mythical ideals; he's writing about people you might recognize. His humor is dry and observant. He pokes fun at the obsession with legal documents, the emptiness of social pretensions, and the universal desire to keep up with the Joneses (or the Duponts, in this case). Reading it feels like getting a secret, hilarious tour of everyday life in 1600s Paris, with a guide who isn't afraid to point out the absurdities.
Final Verdict
This is a perfect pick for readers curious about classic literature but tired of heavy drama. It's for anyone who enjoys satire, social observation, and a good laugh at human nature. If you like Jane Austen's eye for social nuance or the witty character studies in a Charles Dickens novel, you'll find a fascinating (and much earlier) ancestor here. Just be ready for a different kind of hero: the one trying to win a court case or secure a dowry.
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Thomas Hill
8 months agoPerfect.
Mary Wright
1 year agoNot bad at all.
Matthew Ramirez
4 months agoFast paced, good book.
Ethan Sanchez
1 year agoHelped me clear up some confusion on the topic.
Nancy Nguyen
1 year agoMy professor recommended this, and I see why.