The Story of the Duchess of Cicogne and of Monsieur de Boulingrin : 1920

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

France, Anatole, 1844-1924

Contributor:

May, J. Lewis (James Lewis), 1873-1961.

Miall, Bernard, 1876-1953

Stewart, D. B.

Language:

English

Physical Description:

1 online resource : multiple file formats

Place of Publication:

Salt Lake City, UT : Project Gutenberg,

Summary:

"The Story of the Duchess of Cicogne and of Monsieur de Boulingrin" by Anatole France is a fantasy tale that was likely written in the early 20th century. As part of a collection titled "The Seven Wives of Bluebeard & Other Marvellous Tales," the narrative weaves a whimsical and satirical account surrounding themes of love, belief, and the influence of fairies in the lives of its characters. The story blends elements of classical fairy tales with a modern twist, making it both nostalgic and relevant. The plot centers around the Princess Aurore, who falls into a deep sleep due to a curse laid upon her by an uninvited fairy, Alcuine. Meanwhile, Monsieur de Boulingrin, the Secretary of State for the Treasury, is in a complicated relationship with the elegant Duchess of Cicogne. The narrative unfolds as Boulingrin remains skeptical of fairy tales despite his unexplainable encounters with them. After a century of enchantment, both he and the Duchess awaken to a transformed world, only to find themselves forgotten and irrelevant in a society that has moved on without them. The tale satirizes societal norms, relationships, and the intersection of fantasy and reality, ultimately serving as a reflection on the passage of time and the absurdities of life. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Credits:

Produced by David Widger

Notes:

Reading ease score: 68.0 (8th & 9th grade). Neither easy nor difficult to read.

Release date is 2008-05-09