The Lover by Marguerite Duras
"The Lover" is a poignant exploration of forbidden love, power dynamics, and colonialism. Set in 1930s French Indochina, it tells the story of a tumultuous and passionate affair between a 15-year-old French girl and her wealthy, older Chinese lover. The narrative delves into the complexities of their relationship, the societal norms they defy, and the inevitable heartbreak that follows. The protagonist's struggle with her family's poverty and her mother's mental instability further complicates the story, making it a compelling exploration of love, desire, and societal constraints.
The 328th greatest book of all time
- Published
- 1984
- Nationality
- French
- Type
- Fiction
- Pages
- 117-148
- Words
- 42,000
- Original Language
- French
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This book is on the following lists:
- 8th on 50 Classics You Must Read Before You Die (Gyldendal (Denmark Publisher))
- 18th on 100 Best Novels, in Translation, Since 1900 (CounterPunch)
- 142nd on The 500 best books of all time from Culture Café users (Culture Café)
- 1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die (The Book)
- The New York Public Library's Books of the Century (New York Public Library)
- 500 Great Books by Women (Book)
- Harold Bloom's The Western Canon (The Western Canon (Book) by Harold Bloom)
- A Hundred Novels to Change Your Life (The Daily Mail)
- 75 Books Every Woman Should Read (Jezebel)
- 1000 Novels Everyone Must Read (The Guardian)
- 200 Books That Shaped 200 Years of Literature (The Center for Fiction)
- The 100 Best Books in the World (AbeBooks.de (in German))
- The Bigger Read List (English PEN)