La Novela de un Joven Pobre

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

22909

Title

La Novela de un Joven Pobre

Language

es

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

A poignant tale of poverty, nobility, and redemption, this novel follows Maxime Odiot, a young nobleman who sacrifices his fortune to support his dying mother and her family. Blending romantic sentiment with moral integrity, the story explores themes of duty, love, and the enduring strength of character against societal decline.

Summary up to 500 words

Set in mid-19th century France, Octave Feuillet's *La Novela de un Joven Pobre* chronicles the life of Maxime Odiot, a nobleman of impoverished means who chooses voluntary poverty to honor his mother's final wishes. The narrative begins with Maxime writing a diary from his humble quarters in Paris, reflecting on his upbringing at the Laroque castle. His father was a brilliant but volatile figure whose temper flared at home before he rejuvenated in society, while his mother suffered from a mysterious illness that drove her away from high society. Following her death, Maxime embarks on a nomadic life, rejecting wealth to live as a 'gentleman of the heart.' Years later, Maxime returns to the family estate, now managed by his elderly cousin, Madame de Porhoet. There he meets Marguerite, the cousin's spirited and kind-hearted daughter. Initially viewed with suspicion due to Maxime's poverty, Marguerite warms to him through shared adventures in the forest and by a waterfall. Their bond deepens into romance, threatening the family's fragile stability as relatives attempt to force Maxime to abandon Marguerite to preserve their fortune and reputation. The plot takes a dramatic turn when a legal discovery reveals that a vast Spanish inheritance rightfully belongs to Marguerite, not the Spanish crown or her relatives. This revelation, facilitated by a royal decree honoring a 1716 promise, allows Maxime to marry Marguerite without financial ruin. The novel concludes with the peaceful death of Marguerite's mother, who passes after learning of her daughter's happiness. Through themes of sacrifice, idealized nobility, and the triumph of virtue over social convention, Feuillet presents a tale where true wealth is found in moral integrity and love rather than material possession.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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Categories

• Classics
• Fiction