Camille: A Play in Five Acts [Hardcover]

 

 

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Near the end, when she was coughing blood and had a fever, Marie Duplessis sat in her usual box at the Varietes for the last time, said a Paris columnist, like something beautiful, he reported later, something white and spectral. For the last time the imagined Marguerite Gautier had dragged her white face and camellias to the opera. After Alphonsine was buried in Montmartre, there took place the famous sale auction of her many possesions, furniture, hangings, dresses, objects d'art bibelots and bijoutterie. Literature is not a trusty reproduction of reality and like in most roman-a-clef the original yarn is more vivid and interesting than the fabricated version concocted by an author. This is no exception. Before Verdi's Violetta and Dumas young's Marguerite, there lived briefly and died a mislead soul of such unusual qualities, she was destined to cast a tall artistic shadow. "La dame aux camellias" are the novel (1848) and play (1852) by the son of Alexander Dumas, France's literary lion. The young Dumas, while growing, somewhat dissolute, was one of the many lovers of the fascinating courtesan who was Paris' arbiter of elegance, perennial in the gazettes, carrying camellias, always. An exquisitely enchanting maiden, who rented her love, thus making and spending millions. Duplessis was notorious for her extravagance, and, conveniently, the spell she cast on rich men. She was a fixture at theaters and gaming houses. A madly desired Marie Duplessis could never have imagined she would one day be the muse of Sarah Bernhardt Pola Negri, Eleonora Duse and Greta Garbo. 'La dame aux camellias" the novel and play both became success-de-scandale, both finding an instant and feverish acclaim. This old Romantic novel is based on the true story of Alphonsine Plessis, an abnormally pretty farmer, who abused by her brutal father, runs off to Paris and becomes a grisette. It's believed Plessis began selling his daughter at the age of twelve. There, in Paris, quite effortlessly, she becomes a ravishing courtesan, a swan, before dying of consumption at the age of 23. In the real biography Marie Duplessis (in her climb Alphonsine changed her name) is always juggling lovers (and debts) some, more fabulously wealthy than others. She also finds time for handsome and brilliant young men of fashion, despite their monetary limitation, and soon we learn she gives up Dumas for Frans Liszt (can you imagine the cinematic possibilities here?) Later, as the shadow of death grew near, Duplessis marries a faithful titled paramour, becoming a countess thus adding coronets to her plate. Now in the outs with Liszt (trust me, I can't go into everything but the life of the real heroine is very interesting)and while young Dumas (the original Armand Duval) travels with his father (in reality having perhaps forgotten Plessis, or Duplessis, Gautier or Valery, it's a bit confusing) the lady of the camellias dies alone of tuberculosis, in her dismantling, erstwhile courtly apartment. In this sad note ends the story of Alphonsine, also Verdi's opera, Garbo's movie and Dumas young's novel and play. The novel, a sometimes mistreated literary treasure that has seen print since the days of Louis Napoleon. Some dismiss it, some find it a bridge between the Romantics and the new realism of Flaubert. A curiously intimate young love account ending in a heart-crushing pathos. My regret is not seeing Duse or Eva LeGallienne in the role. See, I think this story would make a great modern movie. Unless you cry at dog-fights and are innately sentimental, don't pick up this book. If you like it, go on to read Abbe Provost's 'Manon Lescaut'. I could have never imagined I would one day get to grade 'La dame aux camellias', but here it is, you guessed it, I give it five stars.

If Moulin Rouge is not based upon Camille, I'll eat my hat. The plots are practically the same. Marguerite is a independent, beautiful courtesan with a heart of gold. The young Armand Duval falls in love with her. But as much as they truly love each other, their love can never be because of society. Marguerite is "beneath" Armand and therefore their love is unacceptable. Told mostly from Armand's point of view, you get very involved with the characters.

The only real difference between Camille and Moulin Rogue is Moulin Rogue is more emotionally gratifying as Satine gets to die in her lover's arms where as poor Marguerite does not. And no, I did not just give away the book because you know what happens at the end at the beginning (rather like in Moulin Rouge!) This is a wonderful book for a rainy day. Just make sure you keep the tissues close by. You will need them.

By the way, if you like this book, try Manon Lescaut. Manon is even given as a gift from Armand to Marguerite in the novel.

I read this in a day...it was very, very hard to put down. Camille's plot is much like that of my favorite movie, Moulin Rouge. Unlike most "classic" novels, I wasn't bored and I could easily understand what they were talking about. (Have you ever tried reading Homer or even Jane Austen? Those were pretty boring books.)

The love story of Marguerite and Armand was beautiful and at the end, even if I didn't cry, I was miserable.

I highly recommend it!

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5.0 out of 5 stars beautifully written book
A beautifully written book whose basic plot and story line are the basis of the new Moulin Rouge movie. Read more

Published on Jun 2 2001 by Prometheus

5.0 out of 5 stars Another day, another heartbreak
This book has nursed me through more broken hearts than I can count. You've got to love those tragic love stories!

Published on Jan 23 2001 by thequeenofswordz

3.0 out of 5 stars MELODRAMA ALL THE WAY
I found this book flowed very well and that's the best thing about it. It is a bit more up the alley of people who read Harlequin novels, than a student of the classics. Read more

Published on Mar 24 2000 by A zealous gun girl

5.0 out of 5 stars Love in hateful society
This is a very moving story. The love between Marguarite and Armand could not survive the hypocritical French society of the time, with its "honour, guilt, and shame,"... Read more

Published on May 3 1999

4.0 out of 5 stars Great Classic Novel
This is a quick read. I found it engaging and hard to put down. Very well written and a chance to view 19th century French Society from a darker side. Read more

Published on Jan 31 1999

5.0 out of 5 stars A classic and tragic love story
This story is redone in many themes... my personal favorite is that of La Traviata, the Verdi opera. Read more

Published on Nov 29 1998

4.0 out of 5 stars 19th Century Classic, Tragic Romance--very fast reading !!
This is the story of a beautiful, headstrong, and emotionally detached courtesan Marguerite Gautier who seems to live her life for the moment and her tragic love with Armand... Read more

Published on Sep 4 1998

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