Published in 1896, Tristan Bernard's Le roman d'un mois d'été captures a single, eventful month at a fashionable coastal resort. It’s a snapshot of a very specific world, preserved with wit and a sharp eye for human behavior.

The Story

The novel follows Marcel, a young lawyer from Paris, as he arrives for his summer holiday. He expects peace, sea air, and maybe a good book. What he finds is a hive of social activity. The hotel is full of characters: the elegant but aloof Madame de Rieux, the boisterous and slightly vulgar businessman M. Lépine, a quiet young woman named Mademoiselle Lucy, and various other vacationers. Marcel, somewhat against his will, becomes an observer and then a participant in their dramas. The plot unfolds through a series of conversations, chance encounters, and cleverly orchestrated misunderstandings. People hide their professions, their finances, and their romantic intentions. Bernard builds the tension not from action, but from the gradual revelation of truths and the consequences of small, whispered lies.

Why You Should Read It

What I loved most is how fresh it feels. Bernard isn't judging his characters; he's enjoying them. He has this fantastic, dry humor about social pretensions. You recognize these people immediately—the show-off, the gossip, the hopeless romantic—even though they're wearing 19th-century bathing costumes. Marcel is a great guide because he's just as confused and curious as we are. The writing is light and precise, turning what could be a trivial comedy of manners into something genuinely insightful about why we perform for others, especially when we're supposed to be on vacation. It’s a reminder that changing your scenery doesn’t always change who you are.

Final Verdict

This book is perfect for anyone who loves character-driven stories or classic European comedy. If you enjoy authors like Jane Austen for their social observation, or if you're a fan of witty, dialogue-heavy films, you'll sink right into this. It’s also a great pick for a lazy afternoon or a holiday trip—it’s substantial enough to be satisfying but never feels like a chore. Think of it as a glass of crisp, chilled rosé in book form: refreshing, sophisticated, and with just the right amount of bite.