The Mysteries of Paris

January 11, 2016
Initially serialized in the Journal des Débats from June 1842 to October 1843, this enormous novel saved a magazine, spawned a literary subgenre (fictional exposés of the seedier side of city life), expanded general readership across classes, served as inspiration for Les Misérables, influenced the development of The Count of Monte Cristo, and changed the life of its author, who went from being a writer of seafaring tales to a becoming a genuine crusader for social reform. Sue's hero and heroine, Rodolphe and Fleur-de-Marie (aka Songbird), make their way through a plot that spins around disguises, mistaken identities, murders, breathtaking cruelty, prostitution, exploitation of the poor, domestic violence, starvation, sumptuous feasts, riotous revelry, noble love, and saintly piety. The book's main theme is redemption and the power of kindness to change lives, though readers shouldn't expect the wit and style of Dickens. Still, lovers of cultural, literary, and fashion history (Sue describes every dress in painstaking detail) should dive into this dense text with an eager, open mind.