Madame de (Marie-Madeleine Pioche de La Vergne) La Fayette

Madame de (Marie-Madeleine Pioche de La Vergne) La Fayette
Marie-Madeleine Pioche de La Vergne, comtesse de La Fayette, was a French writer born in 1634, known for her significant contributions to French literature. Her most famous work is the novel "La Princesse de Clèves" (1678), considered one of the first historical novels and a masterpiece of psychological depth. She was part of the literary circles of 17th-century Paris and maintained close friendships with key intellectuals, including La Rochefoucauld. La Fayette's writing is admired for its exploration of love, duty, and courtly life, reflecting the complexities of human emotions and society in her time.

Author's Books:


This story was written by Madame de Lafayette and published anonymously in 1662. It is set in a period almost 100 years previously during the sanguinary wars of the counter-reformation, when the Catholic rulers of Europe, with the encouragement of the Papacy, were bent on extirpating the followers of the creeds of Luther and Calvin. I am not qualified to embark on a historical analysis, and shall do no... more...

THE PRINCESS OF CLEVES Grandeur and gallantry never appeared with more lustre in France, than in the last years of Henry the Second's reign. This Prince was amorous and handsome, and though his passion for Diana of Poitiers Duchess of Valentinois, was of above twenty years standing, it was not the less violent, nor did he give less distinguishing proofs of it. As he was happily turned to excel in... more...