François Guillaume Ducray-Duminil

FRANÇOIS GUILLAUME DUCRAY-DUMINIL (Paris, 1761 - 1819).
"Victor on L'enfant de la forêt".
Printer: Le Prieur. Paris, 1797.
Original edition of the 18th century.
In good condition.
Measurements: 16 x 10,5 x 3,5 cm.
Victor, ou L'enfant de la forêt, by M. Ducray-Duminil, is a novel written at the end of the 18th century. The story revolves around Victor, a young boy raised by the benevolent Baron de Fritzierne, who is torn between his love for Clémence, the baron's daughter, and the fear that his orphan status will separate him from her. As he ponders his feelings in the context of his benefactor's kindness, the book explores themes of love, virtue, and the complexities of social class. At the beginning of the novel, we are introduced to Victor's emotional turmoil as he reflects on his love for Clémence and struggles with feelings of unworthiness due to his unknown origin. He is deeply troubled by the fear of ingratitude and the possible consequences of revealing his feelings, especially given the socially restrictive environment imposed by his upbringing. Shortly thereafter, Victor's altruistic nature is revealed when he risks his own safety to save a woman, Madame Wolf, and her adopted son from a group of bandits. This heroic act leads Madame Wolf and her son to the baron's house, intertwining the lives of these characters as Victor struggles with his turbulent emotions, ultimately setting the stage for deeper conflicts in the future.