The Amethyst Ring

By Anatole France

Book Overview

"The Amethyst Ring" is a sophisticated social satire by the Nobel Prize-winning author Anatole France. As a key installment in his celebrated "Histoire Contemporaine" series, the novel provides a sharp-witted examination of French society, academia, and ecclesiastical politics during the late 19th century. The narrative centers on the scholarly Monsieur Bergeret, a provincial professor whose intellectual detachment allows him to observe the absurdities and hypocrisies of his fellow citizens with wry amusement.

The plot follows the intricate maneuvering surrounding the vacant bishopric of Tourcoing, where the titular amethyst ring symbolizes the power and prestige sought by ambitious clerics and their secular allies. Set against the backdrop of the Dreyfus Affair, France masterfully explores the intersection of private ambitions and public scandals, offering a timeless critique of religious and political institutions. With its elegant prose and keen psychological insight, "The Amethyst Ring" remains a significant work of literary realism, capturing the intellectual and moral climate of a nation in transition. It stands as a testament to France's ability to blend philosophical inquiry with biting humor, making it essential reading for students of European literature and history.

This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact, and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore, you may see the original copyright references, library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world), and other notations in the work.

This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.

As a reproduction of a historical artifact, this work may contain missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1025271556
• ISBN13: 9781025271552
• Release Date: February 2026
• Publisher: Tradd Street Press
• Length: 312 Pages
• Weight: 1.35 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 6.1" x 9.2"