“Love is a sickness full of woes, All remedies refusing.”
Part One: The Diplomatic World
The novel opens in Geneva during the 1930s, introducing Ariane, the beautiful and melancholic wife of a League of Nations official, Adrien Deume. Solal, a charismatic and ambitious Jewish under-secretary-general at the League, becomes infatuated with her. Despite his high status, Solal is tormented by his outsider status as a Jew in European high society.
Part Two: The Seduction
Solal, using his charm and intellect, begins an elaborate courtship of Ariane. Their relationship unfolds through passionate letters and clandestine meetings. Ariane, though initially resistant, succumbs to Solal’s relentless pursuit. Their love affair becomes obsessive, marked by emotional highs and lows, as Solal vacillates between adoration and cruel manipulation.
Part Three: The Abyss of Love
Once Ariane leaves her husband, their relationship deteriorates. Solal’s jealousy and self-loathing poison their bond. He oscillates between worshiping Ariane and despising her for her perceived shallowness. Meanwhile, Ariane, once a society woman, becomes isolated, her identity consumed by Solal’s overpowering personality.
Part Four: The Downfall
As Europe edges toward war, Solal’s mental state unravels. His self-destructive behavior escalates, and he drags Ariane into his despair. Their love, once intoxicating, becomes a prison. In the end, both are trapped in a cycle of passion and misery, leading to a tragic conclusion.
Key Ideas
- The destructive nature of obsessive love and romantic idealism.
- The tension between Jewish identity and European high society.
- The psychological complexity of power dynamics in relationships.
- The futility of seeking salvation through another person.
- The interplay of passion, cruelty, and self-destruction.
Who should read this book?
- Readers fascinated by intense psychological and romantic dramas.
- Those interested in pre-WWII European literature and Jewish themes.
- Fans of complex, morally ambiguous characters.