BEL-AMI by GUY de MAUPASSANT

"Yes, this is the only good thing in life: love! To hold a woman you love in your arms! That is the ultimate in human happiness."

PR: 8.5/10

Seduction? But how far can it take you not only in your political and financial status but also life? Quite far, quite far.

The story of Bel-Ami is a story of seduction, lust for power and position and social status. Greed and ulterior motives. How far and to what length can a person go to achieve their selfish needs? Is everything just a means to end?

The tale of Georges Duroy who, from a penniless man becomes one of the most distinguished faces in the Parisian Society and how he achieves it, is very simple: a dangling cock and brisk moustache with sinful curls on both ends, which stood upon his lips like a monument and epitome of manliness. In this tale of seduction which proceeds in a very progress manner, Maupassant tries to tells us not only about the political structure of Paris at that period, but also the social. He delves deep into the human mind and brings forth the raw desires and flips them tosses them over stripping them naked; and there they are, laying bare and open, inviting and tempting.

Maupassant, a pupil of Gustav Flaubert, no doubt with his rich imagination and writing skill brings forth all the human desires together, their want for money, power and sex.

MONEY, POWER AND SEX is what keeps the world afloat, is what he tried to prove in this novel and if someone, fortunate enough to have espoused all three, would go far, far ahead and above the mediocrity.

There have been scenes where he also tries to describe death and the fleeting life and how all at once EVERYTHING becomes NOTHING.

Georges Duroy uses women after women as stepping stones to lay his foundations. He's a shameless character, naive at times, intelligent and tactful. He knows very well how to get his way through. I wouldn't spoil this beautiful story for the readers but if you love French literature, there's no way you can miss this. And no wonder Maupassant writes like vintage wine.

Thank you for reading!