The Queen Pedauque by Anatole France

The Queen Pedauque is a novel by Anatole France, published in 1893. The story follows the life of a French aristocrat named Jacques, who is exiled to the countryside after the fall of Napoleon III. There, he becomes obsessed with a mysterious woman named La Queen Pedauque, who is rumored to be a witch. Jacques' obsession leads him on a journey of self-discovery and introspection, as he grapples with his own identity and the changing social landscape of post-Napoleonic France. Along the way, he encounters a cast of eccentric characters, including a group of traveling actors and a wealthy landowner who is rumored to be in league with the devil. Through Jacques' experiences, France explores themes of identity, class, and the supernatural, challenging the reader to question their own beliefs and values. The novel is known for its lyrical prose and its exploration of the human condition, making it a thought-provoking and engaging read.

By Anatole France · First published 1903 · Genre: Historical Fiction, Philosophical Fiction, Satire · 25 chapters

Contents

• Why I recount the singular Occurrences of my Life
• My Home at the Queen Pedauque Cookshop - I turn the Spit and learn to read Entry of Abbe Jerome Coignard
• The Story of the Abbe's Life
• The Pupil of M. Jerome Coignard. I receive Lessons in Latin Greek and Life
• My Nineteenth Birthday. Its Celebration and the Entrance of M. d'Asterac
• Arrival at the Castle of M. d'Asterac and Interview with the Cabalist
• Dinner and Thoughts on Food
• The Library and its Contents
• At Work on Zosimus the Panopolitan. I visit my Home and hear Gossip about M. d'Asterac
• I see Catherine with Friar Ange and reflect. The Liking of Nymphs for Satyrs. An Alarm of Fire M. d'Asterac in his Laboratory
• The Advent of Spring and its Effects. We visit Mosaide
• I take a Walk and visit Mademoiselle Catherine
• Taken by M. d'Asterac to the Isle of Swans I listen to his Discourse on Creation and Salamanders
• Visit to Mademoiselle Catherine. The Row in the Street and my Dismissal
• In the Library with M. Jerome Coignard - A Conversation on Morals - Taken to M. d'Asterac's Study - Salamanders again - The Solar Powder - A Visit and its Consequences
• Jahel comes to my Room - What the Abbe saw on the Stairs - His Encounter with Mosaide
• Outside Mademoiselle Catherine's House - We are invited in by M. d'Anquetil - The Supper - The Visit of the Owner and the horrible Consequences
• Our Return - We smuggle M. d'Anquetil in - M. d'Asterac on Jealousy - M. Jerome Coignard in Trouble - What happened while I was in the Laboratory - Jahel persuaded to elope
• Our last Dinner at M. d'Asterac's Table - Conversation of M. Jerome Coignard and M. d'Asterac - A Message from Home - Catherine in the Spittel - We are wanted for Murder - Our Flight - Jahel causes me much Misery - Account of the Journey - The Abbe Coignard on Towns - Jahel's Midnight Visit - We are followed - The Accident - M. Jerome Coignard is stabbed
• Illness of M. Jerome Coignard
• Death of M. Jerome Coignard
• Funeral and Epitaph
• Farewell to Jahel-Dispersal of the Party
• I am pardoned and return to Paris - Again at the _Queen Pedauque_ - I go as Assistant to M. Blaizot - Burning of the Castle of Sablons - Death of Mosaide and of M. d'Asterac
• I become a Bookseller - I have many learned and witty Customers but none to equal the Abbe Jerome Coignard, D. D., M. A

More by Anatole France

• Putois (1907)
• Marguerite (1921)
• El anillo de amatista (1899)
• El crimen de Silvestre Bonnard (1881)
• El maniquí de mimbre (1897)
• El olmo del paseo (1897)
• El señor Bergeret en París (1901)
• La isla de los pingüinos (1908)
• All works by Anatole France