Adolphe is a privileged and refined young man, bored by the stupidity he perceives in the world around him. After a number of meaningless conquests, he at last encounters Ellenore, a beautiful and passionate older woman. Adolphe is enraptured and gradually wears down her resistance to his declarations of love. But as they embark on an intense and tortured affair, Ellenore gives way to a flood of emotion that only serves to repel her younger lover - yet he cannot bring himself to leave her and his procrastination can only bring tragedy. Partly inspired by Constant's own stormy affair with Madame de Stael, Adolphe (1816) is a penetrating psychological depiction of love that plumbs the depths of the passions, motives and inconsistencies of the human character.
By:
Benjamin Constant Translated by:
Leonard Tancock Imprint: Penguin Classics Country of Publication: United Kingdom Dimensions:
Height: 199mm,
Width: 133mm,
Spine: 8mm
Weight: 102g ISBN:9780140441345 ISBN 10: 0140441344 Pages: 128 Publication Date:01 December 1980 Audience:
General/trade
,
ELT Advanced
Format:Paperback Publisher's Status: Active
