L'infedele

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

21423

Title

L'infedele

Language

it

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

Matilde Serao's 'L'infedele' explores the complex emotional landscape of Paolo Herz, a wealthy, handsome, and emotionally volatile man whose life is defined by intense, often unrequited passions. Through his interactions with women like the mysterious Chérie and the tragic Beatrice Somma, the novel delves into themes of sentimentality, the fragility of the heart, and the destructive power of obsession, offering a poignant critique of romantic idealism.

Summary up to 500 words

Matilde Serao's *L'infedele* presents a psychological study of Paolo Herz, a wealthy, handsome, and emotionally volatile Italian man of German descent. Orphaned young, Paolo has lived a life of freedom and indulgence, yet he is haunted by a deep, almost morbid need for female tenderness. Unlike the cynical Don Juan, his soul is governed by a 'limpid sentimental current,' making him fragile despite his outward strength. The narrative follows his intense infatuation with Chérie, a young, beautiful, and enigmatic woman. Paolo is drawn to her not merely for her physical beauty but for the 'mystery' she represents, a quality he finds lacking in others. However, his happiness is precarious, shadowed by a history of failed relationships, including a past obsession with the older woman Beatrice Somma, whom he loved desperately but was ultimately rejected. A significant portion of the text is dedicated to Paolo's 'two museums' of love, where he keeps mementos of women he has loved or who have loved him. These artifacts—including a stolen silk sash, a handkerchief, a photograph, a crucifix, and scissors used to cut a woman's hair—serve as tangible evidence of his emotional turbulence. They highlight the asymmetry of his relationships: he has often been the one giving love without receiving it in return, or conversely, he has been the object of obsessive, unwanted affection from women he despised. These objects underscore the novel's central theme: the idea that love is a dangerous, often painful force that can lead to madness or ruin, regardless of one's social standing or moral character. The narrative suggests that Paolo's 'infidelity' is not merely a moral failing but a symptom of his inability to reconcile his intense emotional needs with the reality of human connection. Ultimately, the story questions the very possibility of honest happiness in a world governed by such volatile passions, portraying love as a force that can consume the strongest among us.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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Categories

• Fiction