Novel
The Confession of a Child of the Century
La Confession d'un enfant du siècle
Alfred de Musset · 1836
Opening lines
Pour écrire l’histoire de sa vie, il faut d’abord avoir vécu ; aussi n’est-ce pas la mienne que j’écris.
To write the story of one's life, one must first have lived; so it is not mine that I am writing.
Translation by Erostrate
Text quoted from fr.wikisource.org
Synopsis
Octave, a young man born under the Empire, discovers that his mistress is deceiving him. He throws himself into debauchery and loses all moral bearings, a libertine who no longer believes in anything. Later withdrawn to the countryside, where he hopes to pull himself together, he meets Brigitte Pierson, a widow somewhat older than himself, austere and withdrawn from the world. He falls in love with her and manages to win her love.
Context
The novel appeared in Paris in 1836, in two volumes. The author wrote it after his break with George Sand, and their affair provides its material. The second chapter, often studied on its own, paints the portrait of a generation: children born during the wars of the Empire, who dreamed of conquests and now find before them only an empty world, afflicted with what has been called the mal du siècle. The book was adapted for the screen in 2012 by Sylvie Verheyde, with Charlotte Gainsbourg.
Who it is for
A first-person novel in five parts; the second chapter, a portrait of a generation, can be read on its own.
Prizes and reception
After the author's death, his love affair with the novelist prompted several books in reply, including one by Sand herself and one by the poet's brother.
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