Ljubavnik
An autobiographical novel by Marguerite Duras, told in fragmentary, poetic prose. Set in colonial Indochina in the 1920s, it follows a poor fifteen-year-old French girl who begins a passionate love affair with a wealthy Chinese merchant.
The story takes place on the Mekong River, where two lovers meet on a ferry, and their relationship, marked by sensuality and forbidden desires, develops amidst social and racial prejudices.
Duras interweaves childhood memories, a complex relationship with her mother and brothers, and her own sexual awakening. The girl, aware of her poor background, takes advantage of her lover's obsession with her, but at the same time develops ambivalent feelings towards him. The novel explores themes of colonialism, class differences, power, and the loss of innocence. Through a non-linear narrative, Duras evokes feelings of longing, pain, and nostalgia, using a minimalist style that emphasizes emotional depth.
The lovers' rich but tragic relationship culminates in an inevitable separation, as social pressures and her return to France break the relationship. Duras later reflects on love as an indelible mark on her life. The Lover is an intimate, universal story of passion and coming of age, known for its evocative atmosphere and strong narrative voice.
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