Bel-Ami (a Ladies' Man)

Name: Bel-Ami (a Ladies' Man)
Author: Guy de Maupassant

The novel revolves around the life of Georges Duroy, a young and ambitious man who rises to wealth and power through his relationships with women. He marries into an aristocratic family but struggles to maintain their respectability due to his questionable past. Duroy's rise to success is fueled by his ability to manipulate those around him, particularly the women in his life. He uses his charm and good looks to gain favor with influential people, including politicians and business leaders. Throughout the novel, Duroy's character is revealed through his interactions with various women, each of whom represents a different aspect of his personality. His relationships are marked by infidelity, deception, and exploitation, ultimately leading to his downfall. The novel explores themes of social class, morality, and the corrupting influence of power. It presents a scathing critique of the societal norms and values of late 19th-century France, highlighting the hypocrisy and superficiality of the upper class.

By Guy de Maupassant · First published 1885 · Genre: Realist Novel, Social Commentary, Romance · 18 chapters · 131,430 words

First lines

When the cashier had given him the change out of his five francpiece, George Duroy left the restaurant.

As he had a good carriage, both naturally and from his military training, he drew himself up, twirled his moustache, and threw upon the lingering customers a rapid and sweeping glance -- one of those glances which take in everything within their range like a casting net.

What this Textopian page supports

Bel-Ami (a Ladies' Man) is listed on Textopian as a novel by Guy de Maupassant, dated 1885 CE.

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

Work type: Novel
Author: Guy de Maupassant
Date: 1885 CE
Language: English
Genres: Realist Novel, Social Commentary, Romance, Psychological Fiction, Satire
Length: 131,430 words
Structure: 18 chapters, 2,529 paragraphs
Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)

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Similar titles

Genres

Realist Novel — The book is a classic example of literary realism, focusing on the detailed depiction of everyday life and the social dynamics of the time.
Social Commentary — It provides a critique of the social and political structures of late 19th-century France, particularly the influence of media and corruption.
Romance — The narrative revolves around the protagonist's romantic and sexual relationships, which are central to the plot.
Psychological Fiction — The book delves into the psychological motivations and moral ambiguities of its characters, particularly the protagonist.