The Red Lily

Therese, a socialite tired of her loveless marriage, strikes up an affair with a man who cherishes her. Still discontent, she begins another affair, slipping further into depression and jealousy as all her loves come to see their undoing. Through this simple yet riveting plot, Anatole France paints vivid portraits of Paris and Venice, two of his most treasured cities. A love letter to city life and cynicism, 'The Red Lily' (1894) represents France at his best. Fans of Anatole France's work will be delighted with 'The Red Lily', but it also will appeal to wider readers of literary fiction for its bold writing and simple, meaningful plot. Anyone who enjoys effective love stories tinged with cynicism like Joseph Gordon Levitt's '500 Days of Summer' will also find something to love in this beautifully crafted story.