Claude Anet, the pseudonym of Jean Schopfer, was a writer whose work often delved into the complexities of human experience and historical events. Educated at the Sorbonne, he began writing in 1899, producing numerous books that explored varied subjects. His novel 'Ariane, jeune fille russe' achieved significant acclaim, leading to multiple film adaptations. Anet's literary contributions highlight his distinctive narrative style and insightful portrayal of his chosen themes.
Set against the backdrop of a fateful January morning in 1889, the story revolves around two lovers whose tragic demise transforms them into immortal figures. The narrative explores themes of love, loss, and the consequences of fate, delving into the emotional and existential impact of their untimely end. As the plot unfolds, it captures the essence of their relationship and the enduring legacy of their passion, intertwining historical context with poignant romance.
“Men speak freely of the women they’ve had, and we’re condemned to silence. Why? Aren’t we as free as you? Don’t we, like you, have the right to take pleasure wherever we find it? . . . They praise seducers in art, poetry, and literature and put a mask of infamy on any woman who’s had many lovers. This is the point where the fight must be fought. Women’s morality must triumph, and that’s what I’m working at . . .” Thus Ariane, unconventional, irrepressible, and irre-sistible, at seventeen the queen bee of the provincial Russian town where, after her mother’s early demise, she lives with her freethinking aunt. But Ariane is tired of breaking hearts in the sticks. Her father may wish to marry her off, but she means to go to the university in Moscow, and she will do whatever it takes to make her way the way she likes. In Moscow, Ariane is in her element. She loves the glamour of the big city. She’s undaunted by its dangers. Before long, she meets Constantin Michel, businessman, man of the world, man-about-town. A new struggle begins.The inspiration for Billy Wilder’s Love in the Afternoon, Ariane has the perverse glitter of Nabokov and the disabused curiosity and keen emotional intelligence of Colette. It is a brilliant exploration—engrossing, unnerving, comic, and cunning—of the matchless cruelty of desire.
The book is recognized for its significant contribution to literature, valued by academicians and scholars alike. It serves as a vital resource for future generations, preserving the original format of its first publication. Intentional marks remain to maintain the authenticity and true nature of the text, emphasizing its historical importance and integrity.
