Title: Belle du Seigneur
Author: Albert Cohen
First published January 1, 1968
1110 pages, Mass Market Paperback
ISBN: 9782070404025 (ISBN10: 2070404021)
Rating: 4.1
Overview
In Belle du Seigneur by Albert Cohen, the love between Ariane and Solal is nothing short of extraordinary. Dancing amidst loveless couples, they are lost in each other’s embrace, savoring every moment.
Ariane is blissful in Solal’s arms, unaware of the world around her as she listens to the happiness coursing through her veins. Solal whispers sweet nothings to her, declaring his undying love, and Ariane is filled with an indescribable joy.
This novel is a masterpiece of modern romantic literature, capturing the depth and intensity of true love.
About the Author
Albert Cohen was born in Corfu, Greece in 1895, into a thriving Sephardic Jewish community. His parents, who owned a soap factory, moved to Marseille, France when he was young.
In his novel, “The Book of my Mother,” Cohen discusses his experiences during this period. He attended a private Catholic school and later graduated from Lycée Thiers in 1913.
After leaving Marseille for Geneva, Switzerland in 1914, Cohen enrolled in Law school, graduating in 1917. He then pursued Literature School from 1917 to 1919, during which he became a Swiss citizen.
In the same year, he married Elisabeth Brocher and had a daughter named Myriam in 1921. Unfortunately, Elisabeth passed away from cancer in 1924.
In 1925, Cohen became the director of a periodical that included writers such as Albert Einstein and Sigmund Freud. From 1926 to 1931, he worked as a civil servant in Geneva before marrying his second wife, Marianne Goss, in 1931.
During the German occupation in 1940, Cohen fled to Bordeaux and then to London. He was tasked by the Jewish Agency for Palestine to establish contacts with exiled governments.
In 1943, Cohen’s mother passed away in Marseille, and that same year, he met his future third wife, Bella Berkowich. By 1944, he became an attorney for the Intergovernmental Committee for Refugees.
After returning to Geneva in 1947, Cohen turned down the position of Israeli Ambassador in 1957 to pursue his literary career.
Editoral Review
Belle du Seigneur by Albert Cohen is a classic novel that was first published on January 1, 1968. The author, Albert Cohen, was a Swiss writer who was born in Greece in 1895.
He is best known for his epic novel, Belle du Seigneur, which is considered one of the greatest works of French literature of the 20th century.
The novel is a complex love story that explores the themes of love, desire, and power. It is set in Geneva, Switzerland, in the 1930s, and follows the lives of two main characters, Solal and Ariane.
Solal is a Jewish diplomat who is deeply in love with Ariane, a married woman who is the daughter of a wealthy Protestant businessman. Their love affair is the central conflict of the novel, and it is complicated by their cultural, religious, and social differences.
The novel is written in a lyrical and poetic style that is reminiscent of the great French writers of the past. It is a deeply philosophical work that explores the nature of love, the meaning of life, and the human condition.
The novel is also deeply political, and it reflects the author’s own experiences as a Jewish writer living in Europe during the rise of fascism and anti-Semitism in the 1930s.
One of the strengths of the novel is its rich character development. Solal and Ariane are complex and multi-dimensional characters who are both flawed and sympathetic.
The author does an excellent job of exploring their inner lives and motivations, and he creates a vivid and immersive world that is both beautiful and tragic.
Another strength of the novel is its pacing and plot structure. The novel is long and complex, but it never feels slow or dull.
The author keeps the reader engaged with a series of twists and turns that keep the plot moving forward. The novel is also filled with memorable scenes and images that stay with the reader long after they have finished reading.
One of the weaknesses of the novel is its length. At over 1000 pages, it can be a daunting read for some readers.
Additionally, the novel can be dense and challenging at times, and some readers may find it difficult to follow the philosophical and political themes.
Overall, Belle du Seigneur is a masterpiece of French literature that is both timeless and relevant. It is a deeply philosophical and political work that explores the nature of love, power, and human relationships.
It is also a beautifully written and immersive novel that transports the reader to another time and place. I would highly recommend this novel to anyone who is interested in French literature, philosophy, or history.
It is a must-read for anyone who wants to understand the complexities of the human condition. I give this novel a rating of 4.5 out of 5.
