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A review by thaurisil
The Chouans by Honoré de Balzac
4.0
The Chouans is set during a period in the French Revolution after the republicans, or "The Blues", had seized control of the government. A group of counter-revolutionary royalists from Brittany loyal to the House of Bourbon, named the Chouans after their leader, launched a rebellion before they were defeated in less than two years. In this novel, the royalists, led by the Marquis de Montauran, nicknamed the Gars, battle in a civil war against the republicans, led by Commander Hulot. Marie de Verneuil is sent by the republican government to seduce and ensnare Montauran. Instead, the two fall in love with each other. Their romance is complicated by each of them alternatively having misgivings about the honesty and the genuineness of the love of the other person. Their respective armies get increasingly frustrated with the pair, although there are a few who are sympathetic to their love. There are betrayals and cross-betrayals. The two finally marry, but both are killed in the warfare shortly after.
This is historical fiction, written in 1828-9 about events in 1799. Balzac did the background research for it while visiting his friend who lives in Fougères (where much of the action of the novel happens), and the research shows in the details of the landscape and customs of Brittany that he includes in the book. He describes the environs of Brittany in great detail, illustrating its picturesque trees, lakes and mountains. It is a scenic landscape that provides both opportunities for guerrilla warfare and a tranquil contrast for the violence of war. He also describes the customs of the Bretons, from their clothing to their manners. Brittany is distinct from the rest of France due to its Celtic heritage, with a different language and customs from the rest of France. As such it is an ideal place for an English-supported rebellion to start from (Montauran is sent by England), while the style of war is heavily influenced by the rough countryside manners of the inhabitants.
Although the royalists and the republicans are fighting against each other, Balzac demonstrates that the two groups do not differ in any aspect other than who they support. Civil war is shown to be needless and destructive. Families are torn apart. The Abbe Gudin fights for the Chouans, while his nephew Gudin fights for the Blues, and mourns when his uncle dies. And this is for a government and a monarchy who do not even know the people who are fighting for them. As a result it is not surprising that furtive liaisons are formed between members of both sides. Francine, Marie's maid, and Marche-a-Terre, second in command to Montauran, are lovers, and Marche-a-Terre helps Francine to protect Marie, even while fighting ferociously against the Blues. Some of the royalist men are attracted to Marie and when called upon to protect her, readily do so. Galope-Chopine is a spy with unclear loyalties, helping either side depending on which benefits him, and ends up having his head chopped off by the royalists.
Of course, the most obvious demonstration of liaison across enemy lines is the relationship between Montauran and Marie. The relationship is quite natural. The war may be between the Chouans and the Blues, but there is more difference between nobles and countryfolk than between the two opposing sides. Montauran and Marie are both aristocrats, and when surrounded by men of coarse manners, they naturally recognise their own type and fall in love with each other. But their courtship is tainted by the ongoing war. Montauran is informed by his men that Marie intends to betray him, and Marie constantly doubts whether Montauran really loves her or if he wants to betray her. Apart from each other, they have doubts, but in each other's company, they realise each other's true love. Like Romeo and Juliet, they fall in love instantly, and die as star-crossed lovers. But even while they were getting married, there was never any question that the novel would end in tragedy. Love in such circumstances, especially when jealous men and women on both sides, was always going to be impossible to sustain. The only question was whether it would be one or both who would die.
In the Human Comedy, this is only one of two stories from the scenes from military life that was completed, and the other is a short story. I liked the combination of war and love, the focus on the human aspect of war, and the characteristics of human relationships in a civil war, where differences of race or nationality do not exist, and the people who fight against each other are people who might freely love each other in peacetime. Although it was a little draggy at some parts, I found it altogether an interesting and engaging read.
This is historical fiction, written in 1828-9 about events in 1799. Balzac did the background research for it while visiting his friend who lives in Fougères (where much of the action of the novel happens), and the research shows in the details of the landscape and customs of Brittany that he includes in the book. He describes the environs of Brittany in great detail, illustrating its picturesque trees, lakes and mountains. It is a scenic landscape that provides both opportunities for guerrilla warfare and a tranquil contrast for the violence of war. He also describes the customs of the Bretons, from their clothing to their manners. Brittany is distinct from the rest of France due to its Celtic heritage, with a different language and customs from the rest of France. As such it is an ideal place for an English-supported rebellion to start from (Montauran is sent by England), while the style of war is heavily influenced by the rough countryside manners of the inhabitants.
Although the royalists and the republicans are fighting against each other, Balzac demonstrates that the two groups do not differ in any aspect other than who they support. Civil war is shown to be needless and destructive. Families are torn apart. The Abbe Gudin fights for the Chouans, while his nephew Gudin fights for the Blues, and mourns when his uncle dies. And this is for a government and a monarchy who do not even know the people who are fighting for them. As a result it is not surprising that furtive liaisons are formed between members of both sides. Francine, Marie's maid, and Marche-a-Terre, second in command to Montauran, are lovers, and Marche-a-Terre helps Francine to protect Marie, even while fighting ferociously against the Blues. Some of the royalist men are attracted to Marie and when called upon to protect her, readily do so. Galope-Chopine is a spy with unclear loyalties, helping either side depending on which benefits him, and ends up having his head chopped off by the royalists.
Of course, the most obvious demonstration of liaison across enemy lines is the relationship between Montauran and Marie. The relationship is quite natural. The war may be between the Chouans and the Blues, but there is more difference between nobles and countryfolk than between the two opposing sides. Montauran and Marie are both aristocrats, and when surrounded by men of coarse manners, they naturally recognise their own type and fall in love with each other. But their courtship is tainted by the ongoing war. Montauran is informed by his men that Marie intends to betray him, and Marie constantly doubts whether Montauran really loves her or if he wants to betray her. Apart from each other, they have doubts, but in each other's company, they realise each other's true love. Like Romeo and Juliet, they fall in love instantly, and die as star-crossed lovers. But even while they were getting married, there was never any question that the novel would end in tragedy. Love in such circumstances, especially when jealous men and women on both sides, was always going to be impossible to sustain. The only question was whether it would be one or both who would die.
In the Human Comedy, this is only one of two stories from the scenes from military life that was completed, and the other is a short story. I liked the combination of war and love, the focus on the human aspect of war, and the characteristics of human relationships in a civil war, where differences of race or nationality do not exist, and the people who fight against each other are people who might freely love each other in peacetime. Although it was a little draggy at some parts, I found it altogether an interesting and engaging read.