Publisher: Penguin Books

Publishing date: March 1, 2008

Language: Chinese

Book description:

The novel showed the full view in the period of French Restoration. It not only disclosed the collapse destiny of feudal aristocracy but also criticized the baseness of the big bourgeoisie and their complex conflict with nobility and clergy and successfully molded the image of Julien. Closely centering on the leading character Julien's person struggle and final failing experience, the novel extensively showed the general mood of society brought by governments suppressing on French people in the first 30 years in the 19th century and reflected some essential problems in French political and social life in early 19th century.

The book fully showed the mental space of the leading character with deep and fine tone, excavated Julien's deep consciousness activity with multiple artistic techniques like monologue and free association and created the precedent of stream-of-consciousness novel and psychological novel in later generations. It is a philosophical poet of the soul.