Le Rouge et le Noir

In a recent post, I mentioned that I had begun reading Stendhal's The Red and the Black, on the recommendation of Dr. Jordan Peterson's list of "Great Books". At the time of that post, I was half way thru the novel. I wrote that although I was enjoying the novel, I couldn't see it being classified as a "Great Book".

I finished the book a few days ago.

As I said earlier, I enjoyed reading the first portion of the novel, but as I went further along, the book became a drudge. I was enjoying it less and less and it was becoming a grind to pick it up. I was not, however going to give up on the novel. I had already given up on one novel this year -[ The Valley of Decision ] and I wasn't going to add another unfinished novel so soon afterward.

I made the right decision on The Red and the Black. The ending was very surprising and it made the read worthwhile. Although I am glad to have finished reading the novel, I still don't think I'd put it on my list of Great Novels. The novel was written more than 190 years ago, and anyone wishing to know how it ends can find out easy enough. I'm not the sort to furnish spoilers even with a novel nearly 200 years old.

There were two English translations of The Red and the Black which were available for free download. Perhaps my displeasure with the middle section of the novel is due to an inferior translation. I could, if I choose to, begin reading the other translation and compare. Maybe someday, but certainly not now.