May Meeting 1 - Bel-Ami (Guy de Maupassant)

For our first meeting in May, we will read Bel-Ami, the second novel by the famed French author, Guy de Maupassant. Published in French in 1885, the book first appeared in English in 1903, with a new subtitle: Bel-ami, or, The History of a Scoundrel: a Novel.

‘[It is] is the story of a ruthlessly ambitious young man (Georges Duroy, christened 'Bel-Ami' by his female admirers) making it to the top in fin-de-siècle Paris. It is a novel about money, sex, and power, set against the background of the politics of the French colonization of North Africa. It explores the dynamics of an urban society uncomfortably close to our own and is a devastating satire of the sleaziness of contemporary journalism.’
-Waterstones

The translation recommended by the member who suggested the book is by Margaret Mauldon.

The meeting will be held at La Petite Auberge, a delicious French bistro on Upper St in Islington. So come along and join us for a tasty meal as we delve into this classic of the literary canon.

N.B. We will be charging an event fee of £3, non-refundable, to discourage no-shows and contribute to the running costs of the group. Please only sign up if you intend to come along as space is limited to make for an effective discussion!