504 Results in the "Historical Fiction" category


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      Chapter IX

      Chapter IX Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin Chapter IX unfolds against the vibrant and complex backdrop of 18th century Paris, where Addie, in a bold and defiant act, sits alone in the Tuileries Gardens, daring to step outside the bounds of societal expectations. In a time when women were often relegated to domestic spheres, Addie’s decision to assert her presence in such a public space symbolizes a deep yearning for intellectual freedom and personal autonomy. As she soaks in the serene surroundings, she is filled with a quiet resolve, her eyes…
    • Chapter IV-The Tale of Balen Cover
      by LovelyMay Chapter IV – The Tale of Balen begins with a symbolic lens turned toward nature, where every sunrise is more than light and every sunset feels like loss. In this poetic landscape, hope is likened to the morning dew—glistening and fragile, soon vanished by time’s unyielding heat. Balen's journey continues under skies that seem to mirror his own fate, ever caught between glory's radiance and the looming shadow of downfall, where even triumph can feel like a prelude to sorrow. Across the open moorland,…
    • Chapter IV -The Crime of Sylvestre Bonnard Cover
      by LovelyMay This diary entry marked the beginning of a new chapter in my life. The City of Books, once my sanctuary of solitude and scholarly pursuit, had become alive with the presence of youth and love. Jeanne and Gelis, with their innocent affections, had transformed the atmosphere from one of solemn studiousness to one of hopeful brightness. As I continued to compile the catalog of my beloved collection for its eventual sale, each book I handled felt like a farewell to an old friend, each with its own story,…
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      Chapter IV

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      by testsuphomeAdmin Chapter IV takes place in Villon-sur-Sarthe during the fall of 1703, where the community’s life revolves around the local Catholic church, a bastion of faith that both unites and defines the villagers. At twelve years old, Adeline feels disconnected from the fervent religious practices of her parents, viewing her prayers as part of a monotonous routine rather than a meaningful spiritual act. Her family's devoutness contrasts sharply with her internal indifference, highlighting her struggle to find…
    • Chapter III-The tale of Balen Cover
      by LovelyMay Chapter III – The Tale of Balen opens with an air thick with enchantment and grief, where valor is not shielded from the sharp turns of fate. In this chapter, we follow Balen through the echoing halls of Arthur’s court and into a storm of confrontation and consequences. The narrative moves swiftly, filled with foreboding and whispers of past sorrow as Balen, praised for strength, must now answer for choices made with the weight of memory pressing down. In the king’s presence, tensions rise when the…
    • Chapter III -The Crime of Sylvestre Bonnard Cover
      by LovelyMay Chapter III of "The Crime of Sylvestre Bonnard" unfolds with Sylvestre recalling an odd dream where fairy-like figures accost him, before shifting back to his reality as a scholar. Ignoring his housekeeper's potential fretting, Bonnard chooses to share his intriguing vision with Madame de Gabry, who delightfully acknowledges the dream's charm, suggesting a hidden genius within him, especially during his sleep. This interaction reveals a warm, gentle camaraderie between Bonnard and Madame de Gabry,…
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      Chapter III

      Chapter III Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin Chapter III follows young Adeline during the summer of 1698, as she embarks on a significant journey away from her small village of Villon-sur-Sarthe, France, with her father. At only seven years old, Adeline is filled with wonder and anticipation, though a part of her feels the weight of the unknown. Accompanying her father, a skilled woodworker, to the bustling city of Le Mans for the first time, she experiences a whirlwind of emotions. While the journey stirs feelings of excitement, she is also filled…
    • Chapter II-The tale of Balen Cover
      by LovelyMay Chapter II – The tale of Balen begins not with grandeur, but with the quiet shift of seasons, when spring yields to summer’s warmth. Balen, having been held captive, walks free once more—not in glory, but in resolve, carrying a quiet dignity that hardship could not erase. Though dressed in simple garments and stripped of royal favor, his soul remains steadfast, driven by a sense of purpose that no chain could break. At King Arthur’s court, the arrival of a noblewoman dressed in sorrow and silk…
    • Chapter II -The Crime of Sylvestre Bonnard Cover
      by LovelyMay In the second chapter of "The Crime of Sylvestre Bonnard," the narrator reflects further on the concept of time and life, emphasising the preciousness of time allotted to us and his desire to accomplish his work before death. He introduces Madame de Gabry, who enlivens breakfast with tales of the chateau's ghosts, notably the "Lady-with-three-wrinkles-in-her-back." The setting provides a glimpse into the decay and resilience of the chateau, juxtaposed with the narrator’s efforts to catalog manuscripts in…
    • Chapter I-The tale of Balen Cover
      by LovelyMay Chapter I – The tale of Balen opens in a season where hawthorn trees bloom and sunlight settles like a blessing on the land, casting England’s countryside in hues of green and gold. This is not merely a backdrop of beauty, but a symbol of Balen’s youthful promise as he journeys from the rugged lands of the North, where the rivers Tyne and Tees carve strength into men. Though the landscape softens as he travels southward, Balen’s bold spirit remains intact—he moves with purpose, eager to shape his…
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