The Confessions of a Child of the Century by Alfred De Musset

Confession of a Child of the Century, now a major new film starring Pete Doherty (frontman of The Libertines, Babyshambles), Charlotte Gainsbourg (Melancholia), and Lily Cole (The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus), is Alfred de Musset’s classic French novel of infidelity and decadence. This Penguin Classics edition, from award-winning translator David Coward, is the first new English version of Musset’s novel in a hundred years. The Napoleonic Wars are over. Octave (Pete Doherty), a young Parisian, loves his mistress Elise (Lily Cole) – until he witnesses her being unfaithful. In despair, he descends into decadence and libertinism. However, the death of his father takes Octave to the countryside where he falls in love with Brigitte (Charlotte Gainsbourg), a young widow who spends most of her days caring for others. At first, Brigitte tries to resist his advances, but eventually they become lovers. Octave, however, is quickly overcome by suspicion. Will Brigitte remain true to him?