Set in the Austro-Hungarian Empire in the period before the Seven Weeks' War, this novel follows the course of a love triangle that begins as a comedy of manners but ends in tragedy
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From Publishers Weekly:
In formal, elegant language well suited to a military tale set in 19th century Austria, the author seems at first to spoof regimental ceremony and the inchoate lusts of Stefan, a virginal lieutenant billeted in the bourgeois cottage of a stout, proper mother and her lame daughter. Stefan, bleary-eyed from brandy and unconsummated longings, is confronted in his bedroom by the mother, who has more than mere words of comfort in mind. Later, when the daughter steers the conversation around to free love, he makes his bed available to both women. The daughter becomes pregnant and reluctantly agrees to marry him. Suddenly, a deadly seriousness invades the novel. Stefan forfeits his life to pay a gambling debt and a quixotic debt of honor. The tone of mocking seriousness that has been sustained throughout leaves the reader unprepared and unwilling to accept tragedy in a book that, until the final scenes, has been an enjoyable potpourri of roistering hussars and traffickings in the night.
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc.
"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.
- PublisherLouisiana State Univ Pr
- Publication date1987
- ISBN 10 0807113646
- ISBN 13 9780807113646
- BindingHardcover
- Edition number1
- Number of pages179