Charterhouse of Parma

Description: Headstrong and naïve, the young Italian aristocrat Fabrizio del Dongo is determined to defy the wrath of his right-wing father and go to war to fight for Napoleon. He stumbles on the Battle of Waterloo, ill-prepared, yet filled with enthusiasm for war and glory. Finally heeding advice, Fabrizio sneaks back to Milan, only to become embroiled in a series of amorous exploits, fuelled by his impetuous nature and the political chicanery of his aunt Gina and her wily lover. Judged by Balzac to be the most important French novel of its time, The Charterhouse of Parma is a compelling novel of extravagance and daring, blending the intrigues of the Italian court with the romance and excitement of youth.

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Review Quotes: "An epic tale of war, love, sex, politics, and religion . . . An action-packed narrative." --The New Yorker

"The novel that Machiavelli would write if he were living banished from Italy in the 19th century . . . [Stendhal] lay[s] out in meticulous detail thousands of rules and stratagems that anxious insiders in any princely court could adopt to preserve their status, their livelihoods and their freedom--or try to, at least. . . . Stendhal's pointers might prove invaluable to any of today's grandees, or aspirants to the role. . . . With his imagination, [he has] evened Machiavelli's odds for those caught up in the game." --The New York Times