The Red And The Black

In December of 1827, Marie Henri Beyle read an account of the trial of a man charged with attempted murder. With this as inspiration, Beyle -- under the pen name of Stendhal -- set about writing one of the great psychological novels of all time.

Set in a provincial French town and in Paris, it is the story of Julien Sorel, a handsome young tutor who is both hero and villain. Coldly opportunistic, he seeks to fulfill his lust for power and wealth, uncompromising even with his influential mistress. Yet he is victimized by his own romantic soul and by military and religious forces.

"A brilliant portrait of French society." (Publisher's Source)