Madame Chrysantheme (Volume 1)

By Pierre Loti

A lacquered gate swings open onto the misty streets of Nagasaki, where the ancient and the modern brush shoulders and nothing is ever quite as it seems. In this evocative nineteenth-century novel, the boundaries between traveller and native, longing and belonging, are as delicate-and as easily shattered-as a chrysanthemum petal. At once a travel memoir and a cross-cultural romance, the narrative immerses readers in the enigmatic beauty and contradictions of Meiji era Japan, capturing the fleeting encounters and lasting impressions of a French visitor adrift in a world both alluring and elusive. Through luminous prose and keen observation, the story unfolds as a rare window into Japanese culture, offering a tableau of rituals, landscapes, and relationships that both enchant and unsettle. For classic literature readers and students of world literature alike, this work stands as a testament to the enduring fascination of east meets west narratives, echoing the sensibilities of The Tale of Genji while anticipating the modernist currents that would soon reshape the literary landscape. Its depiction of Nagasaki is not merely picturesque; it is charged with the tensions and tenderness of cross-cultural discovery, making it as resonant now as when it first captivated European audiences. Admirers of French literary fiction and those drawn to the nuanced portrayals found in the works of Claude Farr re will find themselves transported by the atmospheric detail and emotional complexity woven throughout. This book was out of print for decades and is now republished by Alpha Editions. It has been restored for today's and future generations, ensuring that its artistry and insight are preserved. This edition is not just a reprint - it's a collector's item and a cultural treasure, inviting new readers to experience a singular vision of East and West in dialogue, and offering seasoned collectors a beautifully rendered piece of literary history.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 9374120755
• ISBN13: 9789374120750
• Release Date: April 2026
• Publisher: Alpha Edition
• Length: 42 Pages
• Weight: 0.15 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.1" x 6.0" x 9.0"