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Adolphe

Part of The Art of the Novella

“We are such volatile creatures that we finally feel the sentiments we feign.”

First published in 1816, Adolphe is the story of a young man with all the privileges and advantages of a noble birth, but who is still haunted by the meaninglessness of life. He seeks distraction in the pursuit of the beautiful, older, and married Ellenore, a fictionalized version of Madame de Stael. The young Adolphe, inexperienced in love, falls for her unexpectedly and falters under the burden of the illicit love.

French politician and writer BENJAMIN CONSTANT combined an extremely lively political career with fertile literary output and an enthusiastic series of liaisons with some of France’s most prominent women. Among them were two of his mistresses, Madame de Stael and Madame Recamier, as well as his two wives.

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