Bruges-La-Morte: A Romance (1903)

Bruges-La-Morte: A Romance is a novel written by Belgian author Georges Rodenbach and first published in 1903. The story is set in the picturesque city of Bruges, Belgium, and follows the protagonist, Hugues Viane, a grieving widower who has moved to Bruges to escape the memories of his deceased wife. Viane becomes obsessed with a young dancer, Jane Scott, who bears a striking resemblance to his late wife. He begins to stalk her, following her every move and even renting a room in the same building as her. As his obsession grows, Viane begins to experience strange, ghostly visions of his wife, and the lines between reality and fantasy become increasingly blurred. The novel is known for its vivid descriptions of Bruges, which is portrayed as a melancholic, decaying city that serves as a metaphor for Viane's inner turmoil. Rodenbach's prose is highly poetic and atmospheric, with many passages devoted to describing the city's architecture, canals, and misty landscapes. The book is also notable for its use of symbolism, particularly the motif of the swan, which represents both beauty and death. Bruges-La-Morte has been praised for its evocative writing and its exploration of themes such as grief, obsession, and the nature of reality. It has been compared to other works of European decadent literature, such as Oscar Wilde's The Picture of Dorian Gray and Gustave Flaubert's Madame Bovary. The novel has been adapted into several films and stage productions, and remains a classic of Belgian literature.This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.