The Red Lily: Volume 1

By Anatole France

The Red Lily Volume 1 plunges into the shimmering yet stifling world of Parisian high society, where a poised young woman in an elegant marriage wrestles with inner restlessness amid opulent salons and hollow routines. As she readies for afternoon visitors in her refined abode, introspective musings expose a profound dissatisfaction with privilege's empty sheen, craving authentic passion and purpose beyond gilded facades. Conversations with a worldly princess friend and a seasoned general unveil the superficial banter of elite circles, laced with ironic musings on fleeting romances and poetic ideals from an artistic acquaintance. Themes of desire clashing against marital duty, the elusive quest for self-discovery amid social masks, and love's fragile illusions amid cultural extravagance emerge vividly, contrasting vibrant gatherings with solitary yearnings. Subtle undercurrents of rebellion against convention hint at emotional awakenings, as personal longings erode complacency, promising turbulent journeys through identity's labyrinth. Lavish settings amplify existential voids, portraying how societal splendor often conceals profound isolation and the human soul's defiant hunger for transcendence.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 9376399781
• ISBN13: 9789376399789
• Release Date: December 2025
• Publisher: Double 9 Books
• Length: 76 Pages
• Weight: 0.22 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.2" x 5.5" x 8.5"