jankp's Full Review: Henri Rene Guy De Maupassant - Bel Ami: Or, the Hi...
Author's Note--I've also enjoyed the author's short stories, but Maupassant's second novel, Bel Ami, proves that he's not just a short story master. Dr. Freudine was last seen saying goodnight to Irish in my Sceptre X7 Komodo II 17" Flat Panel Monitor review.
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I unlock my office a few minutes before my session with David and sighing I enter, dripping my umbrella, and lean it against the desk. I resolve for the thousandth time to not think about Irish and his consort Jan, but instead wonder how David has fared with the sex therapist Miss Cunengonde.
Not long do I wonder. He bursts in without raingear, laughing to be wet. I greet him with an easy smile and then stare as a pretty, though slightly damp, woman ventures in.
"Hi, I'm David's neighbor who has been reading Bel Ami with him," she says brightly. I take her small, white hand with confusion. "Oh, that's the book Miss Cunengonde assigned him to read, Dr. Freudine. Have you read it?"
My gasp is a blend of horror and frustration. David and this girl reading late 19th century translated French literature of such pessimism about politically corrupt society, adulterous relationships and how to become and succeed as a ladies' man is just wrong. Its characters only use people for their own gain. What else could I expect from the woman who recommended The Surrendered Single to me?
"Gosh, Dr., I'm sorry if Millie's presence has made you unhappy," David whines, looking crestfallen. He studies his feet.
"No, it's not that. You're welcome in from the rain, um, Millie. I only don't understand why Miss Cunengonde wants you to read that book with its unromantic, naturalist perspective. She surely doesn't think you should take lessons from Guy de Maupassant's portrait of himself in George Duroy who tells the story?"
He considers that, then turns to his friend to wave her towards the long, dark couch. When they've settled themselves, Millie finds the book in her seventies' type, flowered pull-string bag. I fully expect to be read to, but David has an answer.
"Miss Cunengonde wants me to see how George, a former soldier so poor from the country, is able to make it in the city with the chance given him by a male friend/former soldier. He does pay a prostitute, take a married woman for his mistress, marry that now-deceased friend's widow for greater position in society and at the political rag where he works, then divorce her by exposing her in an affair when marrying another will make him much richer and powerful. He could also be despicable by beating his mistress and taking her gifts of money, but he is so fascinating! All the women love him, "Pretty Boy," even a little girl until he moves on to his next conquest, and he also defends his honor as a reporter by engaging in a duel at dawn. He starts with nothing and ends with veritable millions and Paris at his feet."
"He's shrewd, manipulative, greedy and vain. Are these qualities you find fascinating?" Disappointment makes my voice sharp and David flushes with a crooked grin. I eye him, then Millie also smiling. "You too?"
"George is definitely fascinating, Dr. Freudine, because of the excellent writing that gets us right into his thoughts and feelings. People will either love or hate him for his many character flaws so honestly described and perhaps see themselves or society today in him. For example the scenes where he must reflect on death. The first time it only sounds morbid, but the second time he is forced to confront the reality of it out of respect for his friend and before the man's buried has proposed that the widow consider marriage with him. Most of us like George don't want to face the reality of death."
I nod, relieved that she is much deeper than I'd imagined. "Good observation. You're right that the writing is fascinating. It not only lets us be Parisians of the late 19th century in all its immorality and sensuality, but captures universal themes of human nature. I'll admit Bel Ami is fascinating because of that." I pause before looking at David. He is slumped back on the couch against Millie, returning my look a bit haughtily.
"David, how is reading this book helping you sexually?"
He looks startled and glances at the laughing young lady. "If you're implying that mill's more than my friend..."
"I'm not at all, you're no ladies' man, but it is part of your sex therapy, right?"
"Oh, yeah. I guess it's given me more confidence and...and hope...If he could turn his life around, why can't I? You know?" David shrugs, at a loss for words. Suddenly my phone clatters and annoyed, I let my answering machine pick up, but when I hear Irish, I hastily answer.
"Hey, I'm in a session, okay? I need to talk to you, but later."
"Doc, I'm due in court soon, but...darlin, your kiss was so cold last night. Are you p!ssed at me or wanting out of this relationship? We don't seem to be headed anywhere good."
I am at once incensed, forgetting where I am. "Relationship? You and Jan have a relationship, but I'm just a joke to you! How dare you criticize me for not getting all hot and bothered over you, mister...ladies' man! You should read de Maupassant's Bel Ami...or on second thought, you'd better not 'cause I'm nothing like George Duroy's women who he wraps around his finger and they tumble into his bed! Good-bye!"
"Doc..." Irish rasps as I slam the phone into its cradle.
"We can leave you alone, Dr.," David rushes to say and both of them stand up.
"That's not necessary. I'm very sorry for the interruption. I'd like to know where Miss Cunengonde is headed with this kind of therapy." I frown at my words, noting how they echoed Irish. Does anyone really know where relationships are headed?
With uneasy murmurs from the two of not knowing and needing to leave, I'm soon alone with my gloomy thoughts in my windowless office. I need sex therapy even more than David does...but not from someone who assigns Bel Ami!
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