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A review by al13ex
Manon Lescaut by Abbé Prévost
2.0
This story was an absolute fantasy! Indeed, fantasy, because I could not believe something like that was even possible. I can only assume that I do not have any kind of understanding of the 18th century. Indeed, things have changed, but life is not all that different when it comes to such things as love, lifestyle standards and honour.
Manon Lescaut was a deplorable young girl, very easy to tempt by offering her different... stuff. Moreover, she cared only of her own comfort and entertainment. Girls like these one can easily find. However, boys so foolish and perseverent in foolishness are more difficult to find. I can understand the passion of young love, the thought that nothing is more important than love and the person who awakens such feeling - I really do! They have been through so many unfortunate events and still, they learnt nothing. Even the "Providence" was kind enough to help them over and over again, by sending in their path some good (naiv!) man aiding them in some way. In the few moments when they were tranquil and living in peace, they surely found some way to mess with it and without taking any kind of precaution, they were, once again, in great dispair. The end was also defined by irresponsibility and ridiculousness, like every other action presented.
What was astonishing was the character of Chevalier himself, the duality inside of him. His passion for Manon led him into all sorts of troubles, while the other part was studious, with a great reputation and a model for any other man. He managed to make good impresion over a number of people he encountered, even by including in his tale the evil deeds and mistakes. He fell deeply in love with the wrong girl, as did so many others, and love became a flame which destroyed the future of at least one of those involved.
Nevertheless, this story gives me something to ponder upon, while it reminds me of the youthful love and its twists and turns.
Manon Lescaut was a deplorable young girl, very easy to tempt by offering her different... stuff. Moreover, she cared only of her own comfort and entertainment. Girls like these one can easily find. However, boys so foolish and perseverent in foolishness are more difficult to find. I can understand the passion of young love, the thought that nothing is more important than love and the person who awakens such feeling - I really do! They have been through so many unfortunate events and still, they learnt nothing. Even the "Providence" was kind enough to help them over and over again, by sending in their path some good (naiv!) man aiding them in some way. In the few moments when they were tranquil and living in peace, they surely found some way to mess with it and without taking any kind of precaution, they were, once again, in great dispair. The end was also defined by irresponsibility and ridiculousness, like every other action presented.
What was astonishing was the character of Chevalier himself, the duality inside of him. His passion for Manon led him into all sorts of troubles, while the other part was studious, with a great reputation and a model for any other man. He managed to make good impresion over a number of people he encountered, even by including in his tale the evil deeds and mistakes. He fell deeply in love with the wrong girl, as did so many others, and love became a flame which destroyed the future of at least one of those involved.
Nevertheless, this story gives me something to ponder upon, while it reminds me of the youthful love and its twists and turns.