After another pleasurable and encouraging chiropractic session with Eloise this morning, I finished reading
Beginning with a stumble into the Battle of Waterloo by the idealistic teenage protagonist of this saga from Henri Beyle, who chose the pen-name of Stendhal – that of a small town in Prussia – and ending with the increasingly inevitable tragedy is a thrilling tale of passion and politics, of courtships and courtiers, of love and betrayal, of plot and counter-plot, of scheming and intrigue, of constancy and capriciousness, told with fluent prose displaying an in-depth knowledge of human nature which has kept this masterpiece in print for almost two centuries.
The writer offers skilled descriptions of place and person with a good grasp of dialogue. He understands violence, tenderness, and compassion, as felt and expressed by both men and women, and especially of lovers struggling with vows of constancy before God.
Action sequences carry us along at a rate; only the court intrigue sections drag for this reader. As we near the conclusion we know that the various “star cross’d lovers” as Shakespeare would have called them are heading for disaster, but we are kept in suspense as to who will suffer what and who will reap surprise benefits.
Stendhal must have employed much research in amassing the detail of this historical novel, as must have the translator C.K. Scott Moncrieff, whose work has provided the fluent English version.
The introduction by Gilbert Phelps puts the work in fine context.
![](https://i1.wp.com/derrickjknight.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/img20231229_14452763-669x1024.jpg?ssl=1)
![](https://i0.wp.com/derrickjknight.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/img20231229_14494692-615x1024.jpg?ssl=1)
![](https://i1.wp.com/derrickjknight.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/img20231229_14514070-615x1024.jpg?ssl=1)
![](https://i0.wp.com/derrickjknight.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/img20231229_14570700-615x1024.jpg?ssl=1)
![](https://i1.wp.com/derrickjknight.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/img20231229_14593655-615x1024.jpg?ssl=1)
![](https://i0.wp.com/derrickjknight.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/img20231229_15014720-615x1024.jpg?ssl=1)
![](https://i2.wp.com/derrickjknight.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/img20231229_15041168-615x1024.jpg?ssl=1)
![](https://i2.wp.com/derrickjknight.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/img20231229_15062975-615x1024.jpg?ssl=1)
![](https://i1.wp.com/derrickjknight.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/img20231229_15083106-615x1024.jpg?ssl=1)
![](https://i2.wp.com/derrickjknight.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/img20231229_15104519-623x1024.jpg?ssl=1)
![](https://i0.wp.com/derrickjknight.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/img20231229_15122712-623x1024.jpg?ssl=1)
![](https://i2.wp.com/derrickjknight.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/img20231229_15142520-623x1024.jpg?ssl=1)
![](https://i1.wp.com/derrickjknight.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/img20231229_15161564-606x1024.jpg?ssl=1)
![](https://i2.wp.com/derrickjknight.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/img20231229_15194184-606x1024.jpg?ssl=1)
![](https://i0.wp.com/derrickjknight.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/img20231229_15220765-606x1024.jpg?ssl=1)
![](https://i0.wp.com/derrickjknight.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/img20231229_15240362-614x1024.jpg?ssl=1)
![](https://i1.wp.com/derrickjknight.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/img20231229_15253083-614x1024.jpg?ssl=1)
![](https://i2.wp.com/derrickjknight.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/img20231229_15271205-614x1024.jpg?ssl=1)
Zelma Blakely’s illustrations cleverly incorporate elements of her design to frame her skilful wood-engravings which depict considerable depth of perspective.
This evening we all dined on Jackie’s chicken and turkey jalfrezi or korma according to taste; garlic naan; plain parathas; and savoury rice with mango or scotch bonnet chutney with which the Culinary Queen drank Hoegaarden and I finished the Shiraz.
Excellent review and illustrations, Derrick.
Thank you very much, Pat
This is fascinating Derrick. The dinner sound delightful too.
Thank you. very much, Holly
I’m both a korma fan (paneer shahi korma is a real favourite) and very intrigued by the whole path of Arthur Wellesley/First Duke of Wellington et al. into and through the Napoleonic war years and aftermath, so this book (which I have not read) might well be of interest to me. Thank you for your review, and the illustrations–
Much appreciated, Donnalee
Exquisite illustrations. I have a feeling you liked the novel, Derrick.
I did, Dolly. Thank you very much
You are very welcome, Derrick. Did you read it in French?
No. I stopped reading French a few years back in order to concentrate on all my unread English books which take less time 🙂
There is something about wood engraving illustrations that invites the reader into the book.
Thank you very much, Liz
You’re welcoome, Derrick.
The illustrations are beautiful–so full of movement.
I would enjoy your dinner breads and chutneys.
Thank you very much, Merril
YAY for the good chiropractic session! 🙂
Thanks for sharing this book review. I always enjoy reading your book reviews!
These illustrations by Zelma Blakely are some of THE bestest! Filled with such detail, movement, emotions, shapes, etc! 🙂
(((HUGS)) ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
Thank you so much, Carolyn XX
As always, I love the engravings. Thank you for showing them to us.
Much appreciated, Tootlepedal
An intriguing review and the illustrations are excellent Derrick
Thank you very much, Ivor
I knew C. K. Scott Moncrieff rang a bell. He also translated Proust’s Remembrance of Things Past, et. al. It would be fun to see how he did with Stendhal!
Thank you very much, Linda
Love those drawings.
Thanks very much, Chrissy
Thank you for this very good book review
Much appreciated, Sylvie
I greatly appreciate your book reviews, Derrick. The engraved illustrations in this book are absolutely incredible.
Thank you very much, Donna
It sounds like a thrilling read!
Thanks very much, John
What a beautiful review and lovely illustrations.????
Thank you very much, Arlene
Sorry for the question marks, when one types an emoji, it appears like that in the comments of your post.
Yes. Don’t worry. The only none that works is the colon and bracket 🙂
The illustrations are amazing and with such detail. Derrick.
Thanks very much, Eugi
You’re welcome, Derrick.
The book is beautifully illustrated, Derrick. Thank you for posting a review!
Much appreciated, Lavinia
Another book with wonderful illustrations!
Thank you very much, Riba