Wikipedia page about this book: https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Partie_carr%C3%A9e_(Th%C3%A9ophile_Gautier)

Release date is 2010-11-11

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"Partie carrée" by Théophile Gautier is a novel written in the late 19th century. The story is set in Folkstone, England, focusing primarily on the character of Geordie, the hotelier of the only tavern in the village, the "Lion Rouge". The novel presents a blend of humor, human nature, and social commentary, as it navigates Geordie's interactions with a mysterious traveler who upends his usual routine. The opening of "Partie carrée" introduces us to a damp November morning in Folkstone, where Geordie stands outside his inn, lost in thoughts of profit and property. His reverie is interrupted by the brash arrival of a stranger, who rudely engages him by striking his belly, leading to a humorous exchange that reveals both men’s character and motivations. As Geordie navigates this encounter, his assumptions about the stranger's social status are challenged, culminating in a transaction regarding a carriage. This beginning sets the stage for a larger narrative intertwined with themes of deception, identity, and the allure of social appearances. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Original publication data not identified