The Charterhouse of Parma (French: La Chartreuse de Parme) is one of Stendhal's two acknowledged masterpieces (and only complete novels) along with The Red and the Black. Marie-Henri Beyle (January 23, 1783 – March 23, 1842), better known by his penname Stendhal, was a 19th century French writer. ... Le Rouge et le Noir (The Red and the Black) is a novel by Stendhal, published in 1830. ...

The novel is often cited as an early example of realism, a stark contrast to the Romantic style popular while Stendhal was writing. It is considered by many authors to be a truly seminal work; Honoré de Balzac considered it the most significant novel of his time, André Gide thought it the greatest French novel ever. Tolstoy was heavily influenced by Stendhal's famous treatment of the Battle of Waterloo, where his protagonist wanders about in confusion as to whether or not he has been in "a real battle." Realism is commonly defined as a concern for fact or reality and rejection of the impractical and visionary. ... Romance or romantic can refer to: Romance (genre) - a style of Medieval narrative fiction. ... Honoré de Balzac Honoré de Balzac (May 20, 1799 – August 18, 1850) was a French novelist. ... André Paul Guillaume Gide (November 22, 1869 – February 19, 1951) was a French author and, at times, a spokesman for gay rights (disputed — see talk page). ... Coat of arms of Count Leo Tolstoy Tolstoy, or Tolstoi (Russian: ) is a prominent family of Russian nobility, descending from one Andrey Kharitonovich Tolstoy (i. ... Many things bear the name Waterloo. ...

The Charterhouse of Parma tells the story of the young Italian noble Fabrizio del Dongo and his misadventures during the age of Napoleon. The events center in the town of Parma and a castle on Lake Como, both in Italy, but other sites across Europe are also featured, including the Battle of Waterloo, at which Fabrizio fights for Napoleon. For other uses, see Napoleon (disambiguation). ... Parma is a medieval city in the Italian region of Emilia-Romagna, with splendid architecture and a fine countryside around it. ... Lake Como (Lago di Como in Italian, also known as Lario) is a lake of glacial origin in Lombardy, Italy. ... Combatants France Anglo-Allied/Prussian Commanders Napoléon Bonaparte Duke of Wellington Gebhard von Blücher Strength 73,000 67,000 Anglo-Allied 60,000 Prussian (but only 25,000 engaged) Casualties 34,000 23,000 Map of the Waterloo campaign The Battle of Waterloo, fought on June 18, 1815...

Fabrizio's aunt, the femme fatale Gina, Duchess of Sanseverina, and her inamorata, the scheming Prime Minister, Count Mosca, concoct a plot to advance Fabrizio's career in the court of Parma. Gina is subject to the unwelcome advances of the obnoxious Prince Ranuce-Erneste IV, which she is engaged in repelling. It could easily be argued that Gina and Count Mosca are the true heroes of the novel.

Fabrizio is arrested for murder and imprisoned in the Farnese tower, from which he escapes with a rope; he also has a difficult love affair with his jailer's daughter, Clelia.

Ostensibly a romantic thriller, interwoven with intrigue and military episodes, the novel also features Stendhal's acute grasp of human nature and psychology.

External links

• Free eBook of La Chartreuse De Parme at Project Gutenberg (in French)