Bel Ami Paperback – November 3, 2006

I must start confessing that Maupassant is one of my favorite writers. There is nothing that he has written that I wouldn't recommend. This novel is one of his very best works which highlights his skills as a writer and observer of human nature. It is amazing how the novel starts with the introduction of a character which manages to manipulate the reader into liking him. Maupassant's insight into France's aristocratic social life makes the reader feel present in every event and just like all characters of the book are deceived by Bell Ami, so is the reader - there are no survivors to a man whose mission is selfishness. For anyone that wants to challenge his/her way of thinking about human nature - this is the book.

Not sure if this is a condensed version or not because I cannot speak or read French, but I did thoroughly enjoy this story. The first version I bought for Kindle was only $1.99 and was definitely a watered down version. I got about 50% through it and decided to check around and sure enough this version has all the juicy details I missed in the first go around. Even know I know the movie won't be nearly as good (they usually never are), I am looking forward to it.

This is a story of a basically unexeptional young man who climbs to the top of Parisien society by demonstrating the truth of "it's not what you now but who you know". Specifically he uses his attractiveness to women to seduce the wives of colleagues and aquaintances and through them to influence their husbands. George Duroy has an inflated idea of his abilities and a sense that he is entitled to wealth and power, not through talent and hard work, but because it is due to him. I think we all know of people who use their attractiveness to manipulate those around them. George is an extreme case, and unlike most stories bad behaviour does not lead to his downfall and he does not get his comeuppance, which is what makes this such a good read. The only relationship that i felt did not ring true was George's seduction of Mme. Walter, which is why I didn't give 5 stars.

un classique a lire ou a relire, mr guy de maupassant possede une plume creatrice et inventive et nous enmenes dans son monde sans detour....

Bel-Ami is a fascinating novel in that it provides an exceptionally clear view of 19th century Parisian society and is an incredibly good story. Essentially the tale of a social climbing ladies man , who through his natural abilty to seduce women manipulates all around him for personal gain with no visible conscience or moral qualms.A highly cynical novel written by a master of concise vivid writing, Bel-Ami moves along at a brisk pace and is one of De Maupassant's best works.

A must read to understand selfishness and egocentrism as the core of psychopathological behaviour. Written more than a 100 years ago, it amazingly depicts today's individualistic culture.

Translator Used British terms not used in French. Not one sympathetic character in the novel.

This book really gets into the thinking process of a man who's entire life uses whatever he can to get what he wants......historically accurate......on the mark and very interesting read.

I had read Maupasant's short stories several times, but for some reason I ignored his novels believing that they would be more wordy and clumsy versions of what he did best i.e writing short, deliberate and concise stories; what a mistake. Maupassant is a genius and this surely must be one of the greatest novels ever written.I really love the works of Flaubert, especially Madame Bovary and Sentimental Education and you can see the influence of the master on his pupil and yet although their writing over-lapped, Bel-Ami is by a far more modern novel - it could have been set in the 1980s as opposed to the 1880s.Many French author's of the 1800s wrote about lust, greed, infidelity and corruption - it seemed to be accepted by the Bourgeoisie and was a very normal way of life and an accepted method of self-furtherance. Cousin Bette by Balzac highlighted how corrupt and immoral the Bourgeoisie society had become and yet it seemed like a world away; you just cannot relate to the behaviour of the characters as behaviour, moral conduct and acceptance in our modern world is so different from that of 1800s Paris. When you read Flaubert, you can relate closely to the characters, but you look at them from a historical viewpoint, perhaps the way that you do when you read Dickens, Bronte(s) etc - we all have sympathy for M.Bovary, but she is a romantic historical figure within our minds.Bel-Ami is different, he is relevant to the modern reader and his business of journalism and politics has not changed much. I don't want to give away the plot, other than to say that this is a story of moral decay, exploitation and corruption set within a sleazy business world; it is a story of lust, greed and power. Bel- Ami has been blessed with nothing other than good looks, charm and ambition, but he acquires other corrupting attributes and vices as the book progresses. His relationships within the book are all very believable and exciting. This book carries you along at a high pace via beautiful language and a conservative use of words (as he does in his short stories) and you will wait to the end of the book for Bel-Ami to crash and burn - to be punished for living life based on corruption, torment and the seven deadly sins. It is the end of the book which plays most on your mind afterwards - how and why? A thoroughly realistic and modern ending.

A good revamp of French Classic especially if you like R .Pattinson.A soldier leaves army with no money no prospects goes to Paris to better himself .Bumps int old army officer who offers him work on Paris Newspaper and invites him to dinner.Fascinated by the wife who helps him write his articles on war experiences and who also introduces him to two of her friends wives.Madeleine refuses to become his mistress but Chloe whose husband is away a lot seccumes ,he is very happy with her ,she likes fun and pays for their room and outings.Madeleines husband dies and he marries her for love he thought but she is using him to bring down the Government ,so continues affair with Chloe .Out of spite gets involved with the 3rd wife whose husband is the owner of said newspaper and publically humiliates both wife and owner and to put the boot in divorces Madeleine for adultery and seduces the N Papers daughter for 30 mill francs as dowry..Chloe cannot leave her husband as she would lose her child and be cast out with nothing a sign of the times in early eighteenth century and is very upset with his unkind behaviour,however on The wedding day she relents and gives him the sign that their affair is back on.Georges reality is you can do nothing without money and you have to survive however you can and those who are supposedly better than him are equally conniving and only out for themselves.Read the book then saw film good part for RP playing against character as Mr nasty well acted and he had a good cast to back him up

Before I continue I should tell you all that I bought `Bel~Ami' on the basis that Robert Pattinson will be playing the part of Georges Duroy in the film, which is currently being filmed, I wanted to find out more about it and I was not disappointed.Bel ~Ami was written in 1885 and although some part of it is dated, the book does stand the test of time. Georges Duroy is seductive, handsome, determined and treats women like objects without any signs of regret, he knows what he wants and he gets it.An interesting read, Georges did annoy me but in some ways I respected what he did, he used people the way they used him, not the greatest of legacy to leave behind but he wanted to succeed and he did.

A story of a poor, ex-soldier called Georges Duroy and his rise to fame and wealth through the help and use of his female lovers, in the world of journalism. A riveting read set in the past. Also recommended is the film of the same name starring Robert Pattinson of "Twilight" saga fame, (also starring Kristen Stewart); "The Bad Mother's Handbook", ( also starring Catherine Tate); "Water For Elephants," "The Haunted Airman," "Remember Me" and "Cosmopolis".

Easy read - story flowed well - wasn’t certain if the translation isn’t a bit modern.... Bel-Ami is a real bounder and treats women for his own social, and wealth needs...