Release date is 2024-03-18

Laurent Vogel (This file was produced from images generously made available by the Bibliothèque nationale de France (BnF/Gallica))

"La Turque : roman parisien" by Eugène Montfort is a novel written in the early 20th century. It explores themes of love, hardship, and social status through the eyes of the main character, Sophie Mittelette, as she navigates her life in various French cities, facing challenges and searching for a sense of belonging. The novel promises an intricate examination of a woman's struggle for independence and dignity in a society that often overlooks and undermines her worth. At the start of "La Turque," Sophie Mittelette arrives in Grenoble from Geneva, carrying the burden of her past tragedies and her desire for a better life. Working as a domestic servant under an abusive guardian, she decides to pursue hope in her friend Juliette, only to find disappointment and disconnection when she reunites with her. The opening details Sophie’s feelings of abandonment and isolation, painting a vivid picture of her struggles both emotionally and financially as she grapples with her identity and the consequences of her past. As she confronts life’s harsh realities, the reader is introduced to the complexities of her character and the societal challenges she faces as a young woman in early 20th-century France. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Originally published: Paris: Fasquelle, 1906