The novel pleases me and saddens me at once, as this poor Jeanne sees his life shattered by this flighty husband, pushy and selfish. I had almost said ... monstrous! though! It is monstrous!
The story is worthy of Zola's novels, a deep darkness that hides under a delicate pen, picturesque: the honeymoon in Corsica is beautiful, for example.
Sure ... But still all is well, until Jeanne marries. Disaster of any kind will occur, disillusionment extends his funeral veil on the most beautiful and most sacred things: an adulterous husband, who impregnates his good and hunting; Joan's mother, presented in the guise of a faithful wife, who had a lover! A couple of friends, which will result in disaster, because Jeanne is seen again betrayed twice: by her friend, whom she trusted, and her husband making her mistress. The jealous husband then reserve a terrible end to lovers - episode that is also found in the form of a short story by Maupassant well known. And as if all this were not enough, the same day, Jeanne gave birth to a daughter born dead!
The continued existence in solitude and difficult memories; Jeanne is ruined and must sell the property of his parents, both deceased.
As for the son of Joan, Paul, he will have given him concern, sickly child, and poor student, he run away from home. Adult it will constantly ask him for money. No, I will not tell the whole story, you play your turn this novel.
Maupassant's pessimism reached its peak in this novel; we can not reconcile nevertheless Madame Bovary; However, there are so many atrocities, at the limit, the story seems implausible. Was it possible that Maupassant hated as women, to make it bend under all these misfortunes? This is what the commentators say, though.
