Le Bossu (novel)
Encyclopedia
Le Bossu is a French historical adventure novel by Paul Féval
, first published in serial parts in Paris
in 1858.
Loosely based around real events, the story is set in France in two distinct periods, 1699 and 1717, and incorporates real historical characters such as Philippe II, Duke of Orléans
.
Such is the oath given by the adventurer Lagardère to the wicked Prince de Gonzague, who has plotted to murder the daughter and seize the fortune of the dashing Duc de Nevers. In the first volume, Le Petit Parisien, the Prince de Gonzague murders the Duc de Nevers. Henri Lagardère rescues Nevers' daughter Aurore and raises her in exile, where she makes friends with a gypsy girl named Flor. The second volume, Le Chevalier de Lagardère, describes Lagardère's triumph over the Prince de Gonzague.
(1844) which helped define the genre of "swashbuckler
" novel, known in French as a "roman de cape et d'épée".
Lagardère's promise of revenge – "Si tu ne viens pas à Lagardère, Lagardère ira à toi!" – became a proverbial phrase
in the French language.
Paul Féval's son, Paul Féval, fils
, borrowed his father's hero for his own series of "Lagardère" novels.
(released as On Guard in English-speaking countries), directed by Philippe de Broca
in 1997, with Daniel Auteuil
(Lagardère), Marie Gillain
(Aurore de Nevers), and Fabrice Luchini
(Gonzague).
Paul Féval, père
Paul Henri Corentin Féval, père was a French novelist and dramatist.He was the author of popular swashbuckler novels such as Le Loup Blanc and the perennial best-seller Le Bossu...
, first published in serial parts in Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
in 1858.
Loosely based around real events, the story is set in France in two distinct periods, 1699 and 1717, and incorporates real historical characters such as Philippe II, Duke of Orléans
Philippe II, Duke of Orléans
Philippe d'Orléans was a member of the royal family of France and served as Regent of the Kingdom from 1715 to 1723. Born at his father's palace at Saint-Cloud, he was known from birth under the title of Duke of Chartres...
.
Plot summary
Si tu ne viens pas à Lagardère, Lagardère ira à toi! ("If you don't come to Largardère, Lagardère will come to you!")Such is the oath given by the adventurer Lagardère to the wicked Prince de Gonzague, who has plotted to murder the daughter and seize the fortune of the dashing Duc de Nevers. In the first volume, Le Petit Parisien, the Prince de Gonzague murders the Duc de Nevers. Henri Lagardère rescues Nevers' daughter Aurore and raises her in exile, where she makes friends with a gypsy girl named Flor. The second volume, Le Chevalier de Lagardère, describes Lagardère's triumph over the Prince de Gonzague.
Influence
The novel is one of a number of works such as The Three MusketeersThe Three Musketeers
The Three Musketeers is a novel by Alexandre Dumas, first serialized in March–July 1844. Set in the 17th century, it recounts the adventures of a young man named d'Artagnan after he leaves home to travel to Paris, to join the Musketeers of the Guard...
(1844) which helped define the genre of "swashbuckler
Swashbuckler
Swashbuckler or swasher is a term that emerged in the 16th century and has been used for rough, noisy and boastful swordsmen ever since. A possible explanation for this term is that it derives from a fighting style using a side-sword with a buckler in the off-hand, which was applied with much...
" novel, known in French as a "roman de cape et d'épée".
Lagardère's promise of revenge – "Si tu ne viens pas à Lagardère, Lagardère ira à toi!" – became a proverbial phrase
Proverbial phrase
A proverbial phrase or a proverbial expression is type of a conventional saying similar to proverbs and transmitted by oral tradition. The difference is that a proverb is a fixed expression, while a proverbial phrase permits alterations to fit the grammar of the context.Another similar construction...
in the French language.
Paul Féval's son, Paul Féval, fils
Paul Féval, fils
Paul Auguste Jean Nicolas Féval was a French adventure novelist, like his father Paul Féval, père...
, borrowed his father's hero for his own series of "Lagardère" novels.
Adaptations
The book has formed the basis for a large number of film versions, including Le BossuLe Bossu (1997 film)
Le Bossu is a French swashbuckler film directed by Philippe de Broca, released in 1997...
(released as On Guard in English-speaking countries), directed by Philippe de Broca
Philippe de Broca
Philippe de Broca was a French film director.Born Philippe Claude Alex de Broca de Ferrussac in Neuilly-sur-Seine, Hauts-de-Seine, the son of a photographer of noble origins. de Broca was a cinephile from an early age, and he studied at the l'École technique de photographie et de cinématographie...
in 1997, with Daniel Auteuil
Daniel Auteuil
Daniel Auteuil is a French film, television and theatre actor.-Early life and education:He was born in Algiers, French Algeria.-Career:...
(Lagardère), Marie Gillain
Marie Gillain
Marie Gillain is a Belgian actress.In 1996 Gillain received the Prix Romy Schneider. She is single but has two daughters, Dune and Vega .-In popular culture:* She was the heroine of the John Malkovich play Hysteria in Chicago on December 1999.* She...
(Aurore de Nevers), and Fabrice Luchini
Fabrice Luchini
Fabrice Luchini is a French stage and film actor.-Biography:Fabrice Luchini was born in Île-de-France, Paris, into an Italian immigrant family, who were fruit and vegetable vendors. He grew up around the neighbourhood of Goutte d'Or in Paris's 18th arrondissement...
(Gonzague).