The Will to Live (Les Roquevillard)

"The Will to Live" (Les Roquevillard) by Henry Bordeaux is a novel that explores the themes of family honor, personal sacrifice, and the consequences of youthful indiscretion. The story centers around the Roquevillard family, a respected legal dynasty in Savoy, France. The patriarch, Mr. Francis Roquevillard, is a well-regarded lawyer who values the family's reputation and legacy above all else. The plot is set in motion when Maurice Roquevillard, the younger son, becomes romantically involved with Edith Frasne, the wife of his employer. Their affair leads to a scandalous elopement, during which a significant sum of money goes missing from Mr. Frasne's safe. Maurice is accused of theft, and his actions bring disgrace upon the Roquevillard family. As the family grapples with the fallout, Maurice's father and sister, Margaret, work tirelessly to clear his name and restore the family's honor. The novel delves into the complexities of familial duty, the weight of societal expectations, and the struggle between personal desires and moral obligations. Throughout the narrative, Bordeaux examines the impact of Maurice's choices on his family, highlighting the tension between individual freedom and the responsibilities one owes to their lineage. The story ultimately underscores the enduring power of familial bonds and the resilience required to overcome adversity.

By Henry Bordeaux · First published 1923 · Genre: Philosophical Fiction, Psychological Fiction, Literary Fiction · 18 chapters · 90,380 words

First lines

FROM the summit of the hill the voice of Mr. Francis Roquevillard came down to the grape-gatherers, who, ranged along the vines on the hillside, were lightening the stalks of their dark fruit.

"The night's coming. All together now! One more good pull."

It was a benevolent voice, but it had an accent of command. It made every finger nimbler at the sound of it; even the shoulders of those labourers that had begun to loaf bent again to work. Good-humouredly the master added:

"In the morning they are as swift as swallows, and in the afternoon they idle and chatter like a lot of jays."

• Open reader

What this Textopian page supports

The Will to Live (Les Roquevillard) is listed on Textopian as a novel by Henry Bordeaux, dated 1923 CE.

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

• Work type: Novel
• Author: Henry Bordeaux
• Date: 1923 CE
• Language: English
• Genres: Philosophical Fiction, Psychological Fiction, Literary Fiction, Realist Fiction, Legal Fiction
• Length: 90,380 words
• Structure: 18 chapters, 2,161 paragraphs
• Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)

Good citation fit

• Work identity for The Will to Live (Les Roquevillard) by Henry Bordeaux
• Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
• Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
• Readability and classroom-planning context
• Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph

Similar titles

• The Sweet Uses Of Adversity by Charlotte Perkins Gilman
• Michael Fairless by William Scott Palmer
• A Confession Of St Augustine by William Dean Howells
• A Sleep And A Forgetting by William Dean Howells
• The Climber by Virna Sheard
• The Double by Jose Saramago

Genres

• Philosophical Fiction — The narrative probes existential questions and the nature of human resilience.
• Psychological Fiction — The work delves into internal struggles and the drive inherent in the will to live.
• Literary Fiction — The writing emphasizes thematic depth, nuanced character exploration, and stylistic refinement.
• Realist Fiction — The depiction of everyday life and societal conditions is rendered with authenticity.

Tags

existential · resilience · human nature · survival · psychological · philosophy · identity · character study · social critique · internal conflict · self-discovery · adversity

Contents

• The Vintage
• The Conflict
• The Calvary of Lemenc
• The Vengeance of Mr. Frasne
• A Family in Danger
• The Maker of Ruins
• The Anniversary
• The Ruins
• The Return
• The Companion in Arms
• The Family Council
• Mr. Frasne's Clever Transaction
• The Counsel of the Soil
• Margaret's Betrothal
• The Defender
• Jeanne Sassenay
• The Voice of the Dead
• The will to Live

More by Henry Bordeaux

• The Woollen Dress (1912)
• The House (1921)
• The Fear of Living (1938)
• All works by Henry Bordeaux