Mademoiselle de Maupin - Theophile Gautier

Review by Tammy Robson

Published in 2 volumes in 1835, this ground breaking book cause much ado in 19^th century France. Describing the plight of the Chevalier d’Albert in his quest for the perfect woman and combining the escapades of the historic figure, Madeline de Maupin.

D’Albert is tormented by his unattainable ideal of the perfect woman and settles for the beautiful but second best widow, Rosette. During a holiday at her family Chateau, d’Albert finally meets his vision of beauty and falls head over heels in love but only to discover the vision is male!

Madeline de Maupin leaves home at 17 years of age on a quest to discover the truth about men and their real thoughts on women. To succeed in this quest she assumes the clothes and pursuits of men, pursuits including the seduction and wooing of young women. But will her quest for the true nature of men lead her to love? How will d’Albert reconcile with his perfect love being male? And what is the history between Rosette and the handsome horseman, Theodore?

This historic novel was considered ground breaking in its time for the themes it addressed so openly, homosexuality, gender roles, cross dressing and the idea that women too have desires and ideas on their love life. D’Albert has the soul of an artist and as so his descriptions are epic in detail whereas de Maupin’s story is short and to the point. This contrast in narration is intended as a reflection of the characters telling their tales. Overall an interesting story giving a glimpse of 18^th century rural life.

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