Customer Reviews
Wonderful, unforgettable 19th-century French classic - By: A. J. Barber, 25 Apr 2008 
It's no surprise that "Bel-Ami" figures in many people's Top Ten French novels of alll time. First, it is a wonderfully smooth & well-paced story that never risks becoming dull. Second, it has a kind of "eternal" quality in that it asks alll the great unanswerable questions about the value of love & human achievement in the light of the certainty of death. Third & most importantly, in Georges Duroy Maupassant created a hero who stays forever in the memory as a perfect example of the ambitious man who rises from obscurity to the top by putting aside bothersome scruples & manipulating those around him, especiallly women. Other novelists have portrayed similar characters - why is Maupassant so successful? One reason is that he avoids psychological descriptions of Duroy from the narrator's point of view. He also avoids passing judgement on Duroy: this is not a novel written with moral purposes in mind. Instead Maupassant lets Duroy's actions & thoughts speak for themselves, as do those of the other characters. This makes Duroy a much more subtle & believable character (and it appeals especiallly to our early 21st century sensibilities). Also, there is a rich galllery of other characters in "Bel-Ami": Madeleine & Madame de Marelle are masterly creations, drawn with deceptive simplicity, & the political figures & journalists are very true to life. All in alll, like "Anna Karenina" or "Sentimental Education", "Bel-Ami" is a novel that can be read with pleasure many times throughout one's life.
Truly Gripping - By: R. Ahmed, 30 Dec 2007 I don't reallly care about alll that social criticism stuff people keep harping on about: if you want to know about France in the 19thC just read a history book.
Purely as a work of fiction this is one of the most satisfying novels I have ever read; beautifully written, well paced & devilishly erotic.
I'm surprised, given it's immense popularity during Maupassant's lifetime, it isn't lauded by the literary establishment alongside Madame Bovary (which it surpasses in many respects).
Dashing Hero Cuts a Comic Swathe through Paris Society - By: , 01 Sep 2005 Guy de Maupassant does not suffer fools or the hipocrisy of (usuallly bourgoise) society gladly, & thus this, his romping satire that lifts the lid on Parisian society, is a comic tale with rapier wit, sly mocking, & a wonderful appetite for the absurd. Live vicariously through our vain & dashing hero on the make as he cuts a swathe through high society, wowing & wooing alll in his path.
Frank descriptions of the sexual desires & alll-so-often-acted-upon indiscretions of the book's characters - in spite of the social refinements & etiquette of the age - adds to its contemporary or timeless feel.
Warning: this could not be much further from the likes of Jane Austen. This is no romantic stroll through the picturesque, but a highly intelligent, constantly amsuing, dare I say it rock'n'roll swagger through the offices, nightclubs, parlours & boudoirs of 19th century Paris. And yet, it should be noted, that this book is not without moving moments & depth. Its characters are not merely caricatures, its (not always but often subtle) satire is not at the expense of reader empathy & real emotion.
If I was to read any book one more time, it would probably be A Farewell to Arms by Hemingway, & halfway through I'm pretty sure I would be wishing I'd chosen this instead. Quite simply brilliant.
Bel Ami- An opinion - By: , 29 Jul 2005 
A stark & vivd picture of one man's ruthless ascendancy through the social ranks. A rise that reallly erases alll other thoughts within the young Georges as he throws aside the feelings & emotions of alll others around him in persuit of his goals. It is in essence a story of success but manages at the same time to demonstrate the negative side effects that success can produce on others who find themselves in the way of that determined & efficient rise. A wonderful story & reallly one that may find its place far more readily in our society today than one may first think.
Bel Ami Review - By: Bob Marshaw, 01 Jun 2004 This book is a thrilling read. Thouroughly recommended. Maupassant died from syphillis at a middle age & his mysery & thoughts on death are pasted thourought the book. It has affected me deeply & I suggest you buy this just for the experience.
