Le culte du moi

"We live in a time of religious and metaphysical collapse where countless doctrines are strewn about. "This observation by Paul Bourget, in 1887, was followed by an appeal: "Who will speak the word of the future and of the fruitful work necessary for this youth to set to work, finally cured of the uncertainty of which they are the victims? "Maurice Barrès lifted the glove with this work, he who had been nicknamed "the Prince of Youth".

Summary: "A young man, Philippe, who has just joined General Boulanger's program, leaves full of enthusiasm for Provence to organize an election campaign (we are in 1889). He meets Bérénice whom he once knew and who now lives alone in a large house in Aigues-Mortes. Seeing her so beautiful and peaceful in her garden, it seems to him that he is discovering for the first time the harmony of life. He thinks he can find the secret meaning of the universe in a garden and through the love of a woman. But Berenice marries Philip's opponent and dies shortly afterwards. His memory illuminates Philippe's life and pushes him to defend his ideal. He decides to go into politics".

Final edition.