The Princess of Clèves

Madame de La Fayette · 1634–1693 · France

Originally La Princesse de Clèves (French)

Why it matters

At the court of Henri II, a virtuous young wife falls for a duke, resists him, and stuns her dying husband by confessing everything aloud. Often called the first true psychological novel, it finds its drama entirely in restraint rather than incident.

At a glance

Short and clear, though its interior stakes reward slow, attentive reading.