29 pages • 58 minutes read
Madame de La FayetteThe Princesse de Clèves (The Princess of Cleves)
Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1678A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
The Princesse de Clèves by Madame de La Fayette chronicles the emotional turmoil of Mme de Clèves, a noblewoman wed to the Prince of Clèves despite her lack of affection for him. She and M. de Nemours, an eligible bachelor, are irresistibly drawn to each other, leading to intense internal conflict and earnest attempts to remain faithful. This psychological drama explores themes of love, duty, and societal pressure within the context of 16th-century French court life.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Madame de La Fayette's The Princesse de Clèves is lauded for its pioneering role in the psychological novel genre and its intricate portrayal of courtly life and moral dilemmas. While praised for its nuanced character development and emotional depth, some critics find its pacing slow and the plot occasionally contrived. Overall, it remains a significant literary work.
Who Should Read The Princesse de Clèves (The Princess of Cleves)?
A reader who enjoys The Princesse de Clèves by Madame de La Fayette likely appreciates historical intrigue, courtly romance, and complex character dynamics. Fans of classic literature such as Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen or Les Liaisons dangereuses by Pierre Choderlos de Laclos would find this novel captivating for its detailed depiction of 16th-century French aristocracy and its exploration of love, duty, and morality.