Camille

or, The Lady of the Camellias

By: Alexandre Dumas fils

Narrated by: Roe Kendall

Men of great wealth bought her love. She gave it to only one.

Marguerite Gautier, the greatest beauty in Paris, was known to all as “the Lady of the Camellias” because she was never seen without her favorite flowers. She was luxuriously kept by the richest men in France, who thronged to her boudoir to lay their fortunes at her feet. She lived violently, spending herself and her money in reckless abandon. She had many lovers, but she never really loved - until she met Armand Duval.

Realizing that her only assets in life were her face and figure, Marguerite had learned how to make men pay. But what happens to a cool, calculating beauty when she herself suffers the wound of love?

Public Domain (P)2012 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Critic reviews

“One of the greatest love stories of the world.” (Henry James)

I liked it very much!

I guess the first “hooker with a heart of gold” story but with way prettier vocabularies. It’s perfect because you’re always either on one side or the other every different part of your life.

Excellent performance

Roe Kendall’s narration is wonderful to listen to. The story is pretty amazing given the era in which it was written. It’s overly long and melodramatic, but those were probably hot selling qualities in those the times. Overall entertaining and it gives real glimpses of realistic human emotions.

Good writing, but somewhat depressing.

Wouldn't have finished it if I was reading. Sad commentary on 17th century France's treatment of women and their plight in this world (and probably the rest of the world).

Great story, but...

I've read four or five Alexandre Dumas novels, and to be honest, this was the most difficult to get through. When I was finished, I was glad I had stuck with it, because it did turn out to be a nice little story.

Seriously Dated

Sensational, syrupy romance involving a French nobleman of middling importance and a tubercular courtesan. This book isn't that long, but you can fast forward 20 minutes at a time and not miss a thing.