Confession of a Child of the Century, Book I

"Confessions of a Child of the Century" is a novel written by French poet and playwright Alfred de Musset in 1836. The book follows the story of a young man named Georges, who is struggling to come to terms with his own identity and place in society. Through a series of introspective and often melancholic musings, Georges grapples with his desire for love, artistic expression, and personal fulfillment. Throughout the novel, Musset explores themes of alienation, disillusionment, and the search for meaning in a rapidly changing world. The book is known for its poetic language and introspective tone, which have made it a classic of French literature.

By Alfred de Musset · First published 1838 · Genre: Autobiography, Romanticism, Historical Fiction · 14 chapters · 36,284 words

First lines

Before the history of any life can be written, that life must be lived; so that it is not my life that I am now writing. Attacked in early youth by an abominable moral malady, I here narrate what happened to me during the space of three years. Were I the only victim of that disease, I

would say nothing, but as many others suffer from the same evil, I write for them, although I am not sure that they will give heed to me. Should my warning be unheeded, I shall still have reaped the fruit of my agonizing in having cured myself, and, like the fox caught in a trap, shall have gnawed off my captive foot.

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What this Textopian page supports

Confession of a Child of the Century, Book I is listed on Textopian as a novel by Alfred de Musset, dated 1838 CE.

This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.

• Work type: Novel
• Author: Alfred de Musset
• Date: 1838 CE
• Language: English
• Genres: Autobiography, Romanticism, Historical Fiction, Drama
• Length: 36,284 words
• Structure: 14 chapters, 504 paragraphs
• Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)

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• Work identity for Confession of a Child of the Century, Book I by Alfred de Musset
• Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
• Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
• Readability and classroom-planning context
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Similar titles

• Confession Of A Child Of The Century Book Ii by Alfred Musset
• Confession Of A Child Of The Century Book Iii by Alfred Musset
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Genres

• Autobiography — The book is a first-person narration reflecting the author's personal experiences.
• Romanticism — The book reflects many themes associated with the Romantic literary movement, including intense emotion, a focus on the individual self, and an emphasis on aesthetics.
• Historical Fiction — Set in the 19th Century, the narrative depicts the author's experiences in the historical setting.
• Drama — The author's reflection on his experiences and emotions contributes to high emotional tension and dramatic situations.

Tags

French Literature · Romanticism · Nineteenth Century Literature · Autobiographical Fiction · Coming of Age · Self-Discovery · Mental Illness · Psychological Insight · Social Commentary · Symbolism · Decadence · Love Story

Contents

• TO THE READER
• REFLECTIONS
• THE BEGINNING OF THE CONFESSIONS
• THE PATH OF DESPAIR
• A PHILOSOPHER'S ADVICE
• MADAME LEVASSEUR
• THE WISDOM OF SIRACH
• THE SEARCH FOR HEALING
• BACCHUS, THE CONSOLER
• AT THE CROSSWAYS
• THE CHOSEN WAY
• AFRICAN HOSPITALITY
• MARCO
• SATIETY

More by Alfred de Musset

• El lunar (1835)
• Confession of a Child of the Century, Book II (1838)
• Confession of a Child of the Century, Book III (1838)
• All works by Alfred de Musset