Manon Lescaut

One of my favorite literature courses in undergrad was on 17th-18th century literature. Novels as we know them today were just beginning to appear, and I found it fascinating to see the values that were conveyed, and especially the way they were conveyed. I had read an extract from Manon Lescaut so dramatic and gross that it didn't leave my head. I'm sure glad I went through with my curiosity.

Summary

The Chevalier des Grieux, a promising young man from a good family, is lost the minute he sees Manon for the first time. That's how love works, it's well known. Fortunately for him (or not, depending on how you interpret the rest of the story), his love is reciprocated. The problem is that when he meets her, she is on her way to a convent where her parents are sending her. Running away is their only solution to be able to live their love, so they prepare for it.

After a few weeks of perfect happiness and unbiblical pleasures, the question of money becomes pressing. Manon offers to take care of the matter. The Chevalier des Grieux, who until then had given her his full confidence, soon realizes that she is seeing a rich old man, and on the very evening of his discovery, lackeys come to seize him to return him to his family. Deceived and confused, he spends six months in pain and, under the advice of his father, returns to his studies and virtue.

But the hold of Manon does not stop there. He crosses her again one evening, and he becomes completely infatuated. He forgives her and resumes with the vice and the pleasures of the flesh in spite of the exhortations of his close relations. The money problems return, and Manon, without surprise, resorts to the same means to fill their purse.

Does Manon use men, including the knight, only to satisfy her own fickle pleasures, or does she really believe that she is acting in the best interests of them both? The reader is left to judge. What is certain is that despite all the misfortunes in which the lovers find themselves, the knight's love will not waver.

Impressions

I had a great time reading this book. It's a great adventure, full of twists and turns and drama. The characters are not very endearing (the Chevalier des Grieux is frankly pathetic with his blind love, and Manon seemed rather mean to me), but very entertaining. They faint, they cry, they jump for joy, they are ready to die for each other... You wanted emotions, here they are.

Another great pleasure with this kind of novels is, as I mentioned above, the values of the characters. Their view of love and sex, of course, but also the relationship that is made between beauty and nobility. Read this:

Among the twelve girls who were chained six to six by the middle of the body, there was one whose air and figure were so little in keeping with her condition, that in any other state I would have taken her for a person of the first rank.

Manon Lescaut, by Abbé Prévost, p. 146-147

Or:

He was dressed very simply; but one can distinguish, at first glance, a man who has knowledge and education. I approached him. He stood up; and I discovered in his eyes, in his face and in all his movements, an air so fine and so noble that I felt naturally inclined to wish him well.

Manon Lescaut, by Abbé Prévost, p. 147-148

Manon Lescaut is a classic of 18th century French literature. If you want to learn about this period, I advise you to start with it. Or, if you're in a naughty mood, by Therese the Philosopher, by Jean-Baptiste Boyer d'Argens, which I unfortunately did not review on this blog at the time. In both cases, I don't think you will regret it.