The Princess of Cleves
Enriched edition. Love, Honor, and Intrigue in 16th-Century FranceBy Madame de La Fayette
Length6h 17m
About this audiobook
Madame de La Fayette's "The Princess of Cleves" is a seminal work in the canon of French literature, often heralded as one of the first psychological novels. Set in the opulent yet politically fraught milieu of the 16th-century French court, the narrative explores the inner turmoil of its eponymous heroine, who grapples with the conflict between her passion for the Duke of Nemours and her loyalty to her husband. De La Fayette's prose is characterized by its elegant simplicity and nuanced character development, which deftly captures the complexities of love, honor, and identity, reflecting the early influences of the burgeoning psychological realism that would later flourish in literature. The text navigates themes of morality and the social conventions of courtly life, serving as a critique of the rigid structures that govern personal desire and agency in a patriarchal society. As a pioneering figure in French literature, Madame de La Fayette experienced the intricacies and intrigues of court life firsthand. Her background as a noblewoman afforded her insight into the limitations placed upon women and the often tumultuous dynamics of love and duty. This personal experience undoubtedly informed her portrayal of the struggles faced by her protagonist, imbuing the novel with authenticity and emotional resonance. "The Princess of Cleves" is an essential read for those interested in the intersection of literature and societal critique. Its richly woven narrative and psychological depth invite readers to reflect on their perceptions of love and self amidst societal expectations. Engaging as both a historical document and a timeless exploration of human emotion, this novel remains a poignant study of the complexities of the human heart.
In this enriched edition, we have carefully created added value for your reading experience:
- A succinct Introduction situates the work's timeless appeal and themes.
- The Synopsis outlines the central plot, highlighting key developments without spoiling critical twists.
- A detailed Historical Context immerses you in the era's events and influences that shaped the writing.
- A thorough Analysis dissects symbols, motifs, and character arcs to unearth underlying meanings.
- Reflection questions prompt you to engage personally with the work's messages, connecting them to modern life.
- Hand‐picked Memorable Quotes shine a spotlight on moments of literary brilliance.
- Interactive footnotes clarify unusual references, historical allusions, and archaic phrases for an effortless, more informed read.
Audiobook details
GenreLiterary Classics, Romance
Length6 hrs 17 mins
Narrated byListen with 1,000+ voices
FormateBook with Audio
Publish dateNov 19, 2019
LanguageEnglish
Table of contents
1Introduction
7III
2Introduction
8IV
3Synopsis
9Analysis
4Historical Context
10Reflection
5THE PRINCESS OF CLEVES
11Memorable Quotes
Show all chaptersShow less
6II
More from Madame de La Fayette
Histoire d'Henriette d'AngleterreMadame de La Fayette7h 6m$2 · $0.00
The Omnibus of Feminist Literary Heritage – 5 Classic Social NovelsMadame de La Fayette, Frances Burney, Thomas Holcroft, Claire de Duras, Anne Brontë64h 6m$1
L'Omnibus des Héroïnes Françaises – 4 Récits Classiques d'Âmes FémininesMadame de La Fayette, Honoré de Balzac, Jules Sandeau, Paul Bourget28h 42m$1
The Princess of ClevesMadame de La Fayette5h 34m$2 · $0.00
La princesa de ClèvesMadame de La Fayette6h 1m$2 · $0.00
Voix Rebelles – 6 Récits Classiques d'Émancipation FéminineMadame de La Fayette, Gustave Flaubert, Paul Bourget, Marcel Prévost, Daniel Lesueur, Octave Mirbeau60h 25m$1
When Status Crushes Love – 6 Classic TalesMadame de La Fayette, Alessandro Manzoni, Edith Wharton, Honoré de Balzac, Jane Austen, Ivan Turgenev64h 24m$2
La Princesse de ClèvesMadame de La Fayette5h 24m$15 · $0.00
MARK TWAIN: 12 Novels, 195 Short Stories, Autobiography, 10 Travel Books, 160+ Essays & Speeches (Illustrated)Mark Twain416h 24m$2 · $0.00
The Great Gatsby: Original 1925 Edition (An F. Scott Fitzgerald Classic NovelFrancis Scott Fitzgerald4h 45m$18 · $0.00
The Complete Novels of Jane Austen & Brontë SistersCharlotte Brontë, Anne Brontë, Emily Brontë, Jane Austen204h 24m$2 · $0.00
Louisa May Alcott: 16 Novels in One Volume (Illustrated Edition)Louisa May Alcott141h 35m$2 · $0.00
The Fire Next TimeJames Baldwin2h 25m$15
The Complete Works of Oscar WildeOscar Wilde80h 38m$1 · $0.00
Betty Crocker picture cooky bookBetty Crocker, Inc. General Mills2h 13m$2 · $0.00
Braving the TruthRachel Held Evans11h 31m$29 · $0.00
Richard Wagamese SelectedRichard Wagamese3h 14m$15
Shōgun, Part OneJames Clavell24h 19m$35
Henry V (The Play, Historical Background and Analysis of the Character in the Play)William Shakespeare, William Hazlitt8h 40m$1 · $0.00
The Mysterious Island Trilogy: 2 TranslationsJules Verne42h 34m$2 · $0.00
The North American Indian (Illustrated Edition)Edward S. Curtis, Frederick Webb Hodge6h$2 · $0.00
The Complete Novels of Leo Tolstoy in One Premium Edition (World Classics Series)Leo Tolstoy213h 41m$2 · $0.00
The Complete Novels of the Brontë Sisters (8 Novels: Jane Eyre, Shirley, Villette, The Professor, Emma, Wuthering Heights, Agnes Grey and The Tenant of Wildfell Hall)Charlotte Brontë, Emily Brontë, Anne Brontë118h 9m$2 · $0.00
The Complete Works of G. K. ChestertonG. K. Chesterton421h 4m$2 · $0.00
Time RegainedMarcel Proust15h 54m$2 · $0.00
EssaysGeorge Orwell1h 44m$2 · $0.00
The Complete NovelsThomas Hardy200h 27m$1 · $0.00
THE COMPLETE PALLISER NOVELS (All 6 Novels in One Edition)Anthony Trollope170h 4m$1 · $0.00
The Dance with Me TrilogyShelley Shepard Gray21h 44m$35
An Ex to Grind in DeadwoodAnn Charles13h 19m$23
The Captivating WarriorCami Checketts, Daniel Banner4h 8m$15
Sniffing Out JusticeCarol J. Post6h 28m$12 · $0.00
Swept Into LoveMelissa Foster8h 9m$23
TimberTate James15h 36m$23
The ReunionJana Deleon6h 31m$26 · $0.00
Long LostLexi Blake13h 12m$23
The Vineyard BrideKatie Winters5h 5m$15
Protecting The PackJulie Miller5h 43m$24 · $0.00
Something Like LoveBeverly Jenkins10h 21m$29 · $0.00
Wishes from the HeartSophie Mays4h 9m$15 · $0.00
Blizzard ShowdownShirlee McCoy5h 16m$12 · $0.00
The Heart of CourageLynne Basham Tagawa10h 57m$20
Love Inspired Suspense October 2025 - Box Set 2 of 2Laura Scott, Carrie Stuart Parks, Jennifer Pierce17h 34m$35 · $0.00
Talia Hibbert's Brown Sisters Book SetTalia Hibbert31h 7m$53 · $0.00
To Hold and ProtectSandra Owens7h 59m$8 · $0.00
The Newly Witch GameRobyn Peterman4h 39m$15
Arctic WitnessHeather Woodhaven5h 46m$12 · $0.00
MaelstromBethany Adams17h 6m$25
You may also like
The Princess of ClevesMadame de La Fayette5h 34m$2 · $0.00
Caesar's WifeW. Somerset Maugham3h 36m$2.30
The Age of Innocence and Other Tales of Old New YorkEdith Wharton21h 38m$1 · $0.00
The Age of InnocenceEdith Wharton10h 39m$2.30
The Blue DuchessPaul Bourget7h 53m$2 · $0.00
Widger's Quotes and Images from Zilah by Jules ClaretieJules Claretie44m$1 · $0.00
BeatrixHonoré de Balzac10h 58m$1 · $0.00
The Age of Innocence (World's Classics Series)Edith Wharton12h 50m$1 · $0.00
His Honour, and a LadySara Jeannette Duncan6h 13m$1 · $0.00
Mary StuartJohn Drinkwater1h 18m$2 · $0.00
The Lily of the Valley (Romance Classic)Honoré de Balzac12h 6m$1 · $0.00
The Chartreuse of ParmaStendhal19h 22m$2 · $0.00
All Along the RiverM. E. Braddon12h 36m$2.30
Ellen Middleton—A TaleGeorgiana Fullerton9h 53m$1 · $0.00
Anna Karenina - 2 Classic Unabridged Translations in one eBook (Garnett and Maude translations)Leo Tolstoy77h 46m$2 · $0.00
On the Western CircuitThomas Hardy58m$2 · $0.00
On the Western CircuitThomas Hardy2h 20m$2 · $0.00
The Romantic Adventures of a MilkmaidThomas Hardy3h 52m$20
Wintersmoon: Passages in the Lives of Two Sisters, Janet and Rosalind GrandisonHugh Walpole16h 55m$1 · $0.00
All for Love; Or, The World Well LostJohn Dryden2h 53m$1 · $0.00