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The Works of Theophile Gautier - Volume 5

Théophile Gautier

Book Overview: 

The account he gives, in his novel, of the ancient city of Thebes, of the great necropolis in the valley of Biban el Molûk, of the subterranean tombs, of the precautions taken by the designers to baffle curiosity, of the form and ornamentation of the sarcophagi, of the mummy-cases, of the mummy itself, of the manners, customs, dress, and beliefs of the ancient Egyptians, are marvellously accurate.
The purely erudite part of the work would probably not have interested the general public, indifferent to the discoveries of archæology, but the introduction of the human element of love at once captivated it; the erudite appreciated the accuracy of the restoration of ancient times and manners; the merely curious were pleased with a well told story, cleverly set in a framework whose strangeness appealed to their love of exoticism and novelty.
There have been added by the editor, as bearing upon the subject of the "Romance of a Mummy," two or three chapters from the volume entitled "The Orient," which is made up of a collection of sketches and letters of travel written at different times, and of reviews of books upon Eastern subjects, whether modern or ancient.

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Book Excerpt: 
. . .British Museum. Sometimes Lord Evandale leans upon the sarcophagus, sinks into a deep reverie, and sighs.

After three years of unflagging application, Dr. Rumphius succeeded in deciphering the mysterious[67] papyrus, save in some damaged parts, and in others which contained unknown signs. And it is his translation into Latin—which we have turned into French—that you are about to read, under the name, "The Romance of a Mummy."

The Romance of a Mummy I

Oph (that is the name of the city which[68] antiquity called Thebes of the Hundred Gates, or Diospolis Magna), seemed asleep under the burning beams of the blazing sun. It was noon. A white light fell from the pale sky upon the baked earth; the sand, shimmering and scintillating, shone like burnished metal; shadows there were none, save a narrow, bluish line at the foot of buildings, like the inky line with which an architect draws upon papyrus; the houses, whose walls sloped w. . . Read More

Community Reviews


Mademoiselle de Maupin is a symphony of adjectives, in which the thematic material alternately suggests the most exquisite pleasures of the senses. It is an ineffably beautiful tableau, heady, intoxicating, Dionysiac, conceived in ecstasy. It is, indeed a “golden book” as close an approximation to p

More people should know about this pioneering feminist lovestruck poetical drivelling masterpiece. Your plot antics are bare: a poet looking for his perfect Venus encounters hurdles in his search, finding no luck in the pink-cheeked Rosette whom he diddles for five months out of kindness. When he cl

Initially I was surprised at how easy this was to read but I’m afraid eventually, I found my lids grow heavy and neck unable to support my head. Or is that 'head grew heavy and my sight grew dim' ensuring I had to stop for the night...?

A teenage (accurate in outlook - or more specifically mentality

There's no reason why I should hide it: I'm in love with Théophile Gautier. Nevermind what you think. For me, he's the greatest poet and author of the world!
I read, in French, Mademoiselle de Maupin years ago, I'll reread it as soon as possible. Why should you read it? because here's what Théophile

This book is my first read of Gautier and it happens to be a beautiful meld of letters and essays interspersed with dialogs between the characters. Gautier has a penchant for detail and romanticism. The read is interesting in the beginning but as one progresses, Gautier in the garb of his protagonis

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