''Le Bossu'' (''The Hunchback'') is a French historical adventure novel by

Paul Féval Paul may refer to: *Paul (given name), a given name (includes a list of people with that name) *Paul (surname), a list of people People Christianity * Paul the Apostle (AD c.5–c.64/65), also known as Saul of Tarsus or Saint Paul, early Chri ...

, first published in serial parts in

Paris Paris () is the Capital city, capital and List of communes in France with over 20,000 inhabitants, most populous city of France, with an estimated population of 2,165,423 residents in 2019 in an area of more than 105 km² (41 sq mi), ma ...

in 1858. Loosely based on real events, the story is set in France in two distinct periods, 1699 and 1717, and incorporates real historical characters such as

Philippe II, Duke of Orléans Philippe II, Duke of Orléans (Philippe Charles; 2 August 1674 – 2 December 1723), was a French prince, soldier, and statesman who served as Regent of the Kingdom of France from 1715 to 1723. He is referred to in French as ''le Régent''. ...

Plot summary

''Si tu ne viens pas à Lagardère, Lagardère ira à toi!'' ("If you don't come to Lagardère, Lagardère will come to you!") Such is the oath given by the adventurer Lagardère to the wicked Prince de Gonzague, who has plotted to murder the daughter and seize the fortune of the dashing Duc de Nevers. In the first volume, ''Le Petit Parisien'', the Prince de Gonzague murders the Duc de Nevers. Henri Lagardère rescues Nevers' daughter Aurore and raises her in exile, where she makes friends with a gypsy girl named Flor. The second volume, ''Le Chevalier de Lagardère'', describes Lagardère's triumph over the Prince de Gonzague.

Influence

The novel is one of a number of works such as ''

The Three Musketeers ''The Three Musketeers'' (french: Les Trois Mousquetaires, links=no, ) is a French historical adventure novel written in 1844 by French author Alexandre Dumas. It is in the swashbuckler genre, which has heroic, chivalrous swordsmen who fight ...

'' (1844) which helped define the genre of "

swashbuckler A swashbuckler is a genre of European adventure literature that focuses on a heroic protagonist stock character who is skilled in swordsmanship, acrobatics, guile and possesses chivalrous ideals. A "swashbuckler" protagonist is heroic, daring, ...

" novel, known in French as a "roman de cape et d'épée". Lagardère's promise of revenge – "Si tu ne viens pas à Lagardère, Lagardère ira à toi!" – became a

proverbial phrase A proverb (from la, proverbium) is a simple and insightful, traditional saying that expresses a perceived truth based on common sense or experience. Proverbs are often metaphorical and use formulaic language. A proverbial phrase or a proverbia ...

in the French language. Paul Féval's son,

Paul Féval, fils Paul Auguste Jean Nicolas Féval (called Paul Féval fils) (25 January 1860 – 15 March 1933) was a French adventure novelist, like his father Paul Féval, père. He was the third of eight children and the eldest son of Paul Féval, who was 42 yea ...

, borrowed his father's hero for his own series of "Lagardère" novels.

Adaptations

The book has formed the basis for a large number of film versions, including '' Le Bossu'' (released as ''On Guard'' in English-speaking countries), directed by

Philippe de Broca Philippe de Broca (; 15 March 1933 – 26 November 2004) was a French movie director. He directed 30 full-length feature films, including the highly successful '' That Man from Rio (''L'Homme de Rio'')'', '' The Man from Acapulco (Le Magnifique) ...

in 1997, with

Daniel Auteuil Daniel Auteuil (; born 24 January 1950) is a French actor and director who has appeared in a wide range of film genres, including period dramas, romantic comedies, and crime thrillers. In 1996 he won the Best Actor Award at the Cannes Film Fest ...

(Lagardère),

Marie Gillain Marie Gillain O.M.W. (born 18 June 1975) is a Belgian actress. In 1996 Gillain received the Prix Romy Schneider. She is single and has two daughters, Dune (born in 2004, with musician Martin Gamet) and Vega (born in 2009, with French-Italian a ...

(Aurore de Nevers), and

Fabrice Luchini Fabrice Luchini (; born Robert Luchini; 1 November 1951) is a French stage and film actor. He has appeared in films such as '' Potiche'', ''The Women on the 6th Floor'', and '' In the House''. For his role in the 2015 film '' Courted'' he won t ...

(Gonzague).

External links

Jolas, Claudine. ''Le Bossu, de Paul Féval: Étude d'un roman populaire''.

1858 French novels French adventure novels French historical novels Novels set in Paris Novels set in the 1690s Novels set in the 1710s Fiction set in 1699 Fiction set in 1717 Novels first published in serial form Works originally published in Le Siècle French novels adapted into films {{1850s-adventure-novel-stub