Title: Manon Lescaut
Author: Antoine François Prévost d’Exiles
First published January 1, 1731
333 pages, Poche
ISBN: 9782266082839 (ISBN10: 2266082833)
Rating: 3.46
Overview
As Manon Lescaut sets her sights on a life of luxury and wealth, she enlists the help of her determined suitor to make her dreams a reality. But with their plan comes a dangerous risk – one that could ruin everything they’ve worked for.
With the possibility of being recognized and caught, their fate hangs in the balance. Will they succeed in their mission, or will they lose everything they hold dear?
Antoine François Prévost d’Exiles’ timeless tale of love, ambition, and risk is a must-read for any literature lover.
About the Author
Antoine François Prévost d’Exiles, also known as the Abbé Prévost, was a French author and novelist. He was born in Hesdin, Artois, and had a family history in law and the ecclesiastical estate.
Prévost was educated at the Jesuit school of Hesdin and joined the army in 1716, but soon returned to Paris with the intention of resuming his novitiate. He joined the Benedictines of St Maur after a love affair ended badly and took his vows in 1721.
Prévost spent several years teaching, preaching, and studying in various houses of the order before fleeing to England in 1728 due to a lettre de cachet against him.
In London, Prévost gained knowledge of English history and literature, which influenced his writings. He began his most famous novel, Mémoires et aventures d’un homme de qualité qui s’est retiré du monde, before leaving the Benedictines.
He published Le Philosophe anglais in the Netherlands, and a spurious fifth volume included attacks on the Jesuits. Prévost also worked on a translation of De Thou’s Historia and published a Suite in three volumes.
The seventh volume contained the famous Manon Lescaut, which was eagerly read but forbidden in France. In 1733, Prévost left the Hague for London and edited a weekly gazette called Le Pour et contre until 1740.
In 1734, Prévost was reconciled with the Benedictines and returned to France to pass through a new, brief novitiate. He became the almoner to the Prince de Conti in 1735 and obtained the priory of St Georges de Gesnes in 1754.
Prévost continued to write and publish until his death in 1763.
Editoral Review
Manon Lescaut by Antoine François Prévost d’Exiles is a classic French novel that was first published on January 1, 1731. Prévost d’Exiles was a French author, translator, and editor who lived from 1697 to 1763.
He’s best known for his novel, Manon Lescaut, which tells the tragic love story of a young man named Chevalier des Grieux and his lover, Manon Lescaut.
The novel belongs to the genre of the French Rococo literature, which was popular during the 18th century. The style is characterized by its ornate and elaborate decoration, frivolity, and love of pleasure.
The themes of the novel are love, passion, and the conflict between social conventions and personal desire.
The story of Manon Lescaut takes place in France in the 18th century. Des Grieux falls in love with Manon, a beautiful and charming woman who has been sent to a convent by her parents.
They run away together and start a passionate love affair, but their happiness is short-lived. They soon find themselves in debt and involved in criminal activities that lead to their downfall.
Prévost d’Exiles tells the story with great skill, creating complex and realistic characters that readers can relate to. The novel is well-paced, with a perfect balance between action and introspection.
The author describes the society of the time with great accuracy, highlighting the hypocrisy and cruelty of the aristocracy and the corruption of the legal system.
Manon Lescaut has historical and cultural significance, as it reflects the values and concerns of the French society of the 18th century. It’s also a masterpiece of French literature that has influenced many writers and artists over the centuries.
The strengths of the novel are its beautiful prose, vivid characterization, and emotional depth. The author’s use of irony and satire is also impressive, as he exposes the flaws and contradictions of the society of the time.
The only weakness of the novel is its tragic ending, which may not appeal to all readers.
In conclusion, Manon Lescaut by Antoine François Prévost d’Exiles is a must-read for anyone interested in French literature and culture. The novel is a timeless masterpiece that still resonates with readers today.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys historical fiction, romance, and tragedy. I give it a rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars.
