‘It is not difficult to pass for being learned. The secret is not to betray your ignorance.’
Georges Duroy, a poor former soldier who had nothing, was fortunate enough to be blessed with youth and good looks. Originally an innocent young man from the provinces, he soon becomes acquainted with the amoral but flourishing world of journalism. After becoming a journalist and learning the methods of the trade, he gains the ambition to rise above his station and decides to use his good looks to charm his way into high society.
An extremely cynical book, Bel-Ami is an honest and brutal look at urban life in France during 19th century, a society that is still very similar to our society today.
Guy de Maupassant was a French writer of the Naturalist school famous for his short stories and novels.