Paul and Virginia

Set on the island of Mauritius, 'Paul and Virginia' is a touching tale of two childhood friends who grow up to fall in love. Jacques-Henri Bernardin de Saint-Pierre's novel, recognized as his greatest work, tells a story of the corruption of natural innocence by the artificial sentimentality of the French upper class in the late eighteenth century. Written on the eve of the French Revolution, the novel's themes and characters have continued to captivate readers for over two centuries. Bernardin de Saint-Pierre's time spent on the island and his own personal experiences, including witnessing a shipwreck, lend an air of authenticity to this timeless story of love and loss.