29 pages 58 minutes read

Madame de La Fayette

The Princesse de Clèves (The Princess of Cleves)

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1678

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Before You Read

Reviews & Readership

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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 this

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.

Recommended

Reading Age

18+years

Book Details

Themes
Values/Ideas: Fate
Genre
Historical Fiction
French Literature