Malplaquet by Hilaire Belloc (1693)
The novel is a satirical commentary on the excesses of the British aristocracy during the late 17th century. It follows the story of a young nobleman who becomes embroiled in a series of absurd and often humorous misadventures. Through its portrayal of the protagonist's experiences, the novel critiques the social conventions and moral hypocrisies of the time.
By Hilaire Belloc · First published 1693 · Genre: Historical Fiction, War, Adventure · 5 chapters · 21,073 words
First lines
That political significance which we must seek in all military history, and without which that history cannot be accurate even upon its technical side, may be stated for the battle of Malplaquet in the following terms.
Louis XIV. succeeding to a cautious and constructive period in the national life of France, this in its turn succeeding to the long impotence of the religious wars, found at his orders when his long minority was ended a society not only eager and united, but beginning also to give forth the fruit due to three active generations of discussion and combat.
What this Textopian page supports
Malplaquet is listed on Textopian as a novel by Hilaire Belloc, dated 1693 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Novel
- Author: Hilaire Belloc
- Date: 1693 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Historical Fiction, War, Adventure, Drama, Political
- Length: 21,073 words
- Structure: 5 chapters, 167 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Malplaquet by Hilaire Belloc
- 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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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering Malplaquet?
- How does this novel by Hilaire Belloc fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Historical Fiction first become important in the reading?
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Genres
- Historical Fiction — The book is set against the backdrop of a historical event, focusing on the Battle of Malplaquet, and incorporates fictional elements to explore the period.
- War — The central theme revolves around military conflict, specifically the strategies and experiences of war during the early 18th century.
- Adventure — The narrative includes elements of adventure, with characters engaging in daring and risky endeavors related to the battle.
- Drama — The book delves into the personal and emotional struggles of its characters, highlighting dramatic tensions and conflicts.
Tags
Historical Fiction · War Novel · 18th Century Setting · Military History · Battlefield Drama · European Conflict · French and British Armies · Napoleonic Era Prequel · Tactical Warfare · Soldier's Life · Leadership Strategies · Command Decisions
Contents
- The Political Meaning of Malplaquet
- The Siege of Tournai
- The Manoeuvring for Position
- The Preliminaries of the Battle
- The Action