Bel Ami

Summary

«Bel Ami» is a novel by French writer Guy de Maupassant, published in 1885. The story follows journalist and womanizer Georges Duroy, who rises from poverty and climbs the social ladder in Paris through manipulation and intrigue. By leveraging his romantic liaisons with influential women, including Clotilde de Marelle, Madeleine Forestier, and Suzanne Walter, Duroy achieves power and success. The book critically examines Parisian society at the end of the 19th century, highlighting the cynicism and greed of its members. Guy de Maupassant paints a portrait of society, emphasizing the vanity, betrayal, and sexual morality that governed relationships between people at the time.