The Lover PDF by Marguerite Duras is a classic French novel that was originally published in 1984. It has been translated into more than forty languages and has sold over 10 million copies worldwide. The book tells the story of an adolescent girl’s sensual awakening, her discovery of love, and her experience with cross-cultural relationships during the time of French colonialism in Vietnam.
The themes explored in the book are social conventions, cross-cultural relationships, and personal freedom. The book has been praised by many critics and readers alike, including the New York Times which called it “the most powerful novel of its kind”.
The Lover is available in paperback, hardcover, and ebook formats. It has been published by Grove Press in the United States, Penguin Books in the United Kingdom, and numerous other publishing houses around the world. It is widely considered one of the most influential works of French literature of all time.
Table of Contents
The Lover Summary
The novel begins in 1929 in French Indochina. The protagonist is a young, poor, and nameless girl of fifteen who lives with her half-Chinese mother and three younger brothers near the Chinese border. She takes a boat upriver to attend school in Saigon but her father refuses to pay for it so she must find other means to support herself.
The main character then meets an older wealthy Chinese man, referred to as ‘the Chinese’ or ‘the lover’. They embark on a passionate affair that continues for four years and provides her with financial stability as well as emotional security.
However, eventually, the relationship breaks down because of their age difference and cultural differences. The girl’s family disapproves and she is forced to return home where she is scorned by her peers for the affair.
Details of The Lover Book
| Book | The Lover |
| Author | Marguerite Duras |
| Original language | French |
| Originally published | 1984 |
| Category | Romance Novel |
| Publisher | Editions de Minuit |
| Total Pages | 148 |
| Format | PDF, ePub |
Multiple Languages Editions of The Lover Book
The Lover book has been translated into multiple languages and released as international editions around the world. It has been translated into more than forty languages, including Japanese, German, Chinese, Spanish, French, Arabic, Greek and Korean.
| Book Editions | Check Now |
|---|---|
| English | Check Price |
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| Chinese | Check Price |
About the Author
Marguerite Duras is a French writer and film director who was born in Gia-Dinh, French Indochina (now Vietnam) in 1914. She moved to France in 1939, where she attended Sorbonne University until 1945. Duras wrote over 40 novels, plays, films, and essays during her lifetime.
His work is noted for its exploration of memory and time, depicting the psychological effects of colonialism and war. Her most famous work is The Lover (1984), which won the 1984 Prix Goncourt, one of France’s highest literary awards. Set in French Indochina during the 1930s, it tells the story of a young girl from an impoverished family who falls in love with an older Chinese man.
Duras was also known for her film adaptations of her novels, including the award-winning Hiroshima Mon Amour (1959) and India Song (1975). Her works often featured strong female protagonists who challenged traditional gender roles and explored themes of identity, memory, and displacement. Duras died in 1996 at the age of 81. Her legacy lives on through her powerful and enduring works, which continue to inspire readers and filmmakers around the world.
The Lover PDF Free Download
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Similar Books to The Lover Book
- The Age of Innocence by Edith Wharton
- Madame Bovary by Gustave Flaubert
- Tess of the D’Urbervilles by Thomas Hardy
- All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr
- To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
- Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy
- Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte
- Beloved by Toni Morrison
- The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger
- Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte
FAQs(Frequently Asked Questions)
Is The Lover a true story?
The Lover, by Marguerite Duras, is widely considered to be autobiographical in nature.
What happens at the end of The Lover?
The ending of The Lover is ambiguous and open-ended, with the main character, Anne-Marie, leaving her lover without a clear resolution.
How many pages does The Lover have?
The Lover has 180 pages.
What is the main theme of The Lover?
The main theme of The Lover is loss and regret, with the story exploring a young girl’s journey of self-discovery in the midst of a forbidden love affair.
Who is the target audience of The Lover book?
The target audience of The Lover book is primarily adult readers, as the story does contain mature themes.
