
ŒUVRES POSTHUMES DE J. LAFON-LABATUT
A vivid slice of Périgord folklore comes to life in this lyrical retelling of the “Femme du Diable.” Framed by the passionate advocacy of a 19th‑century poet who celebrated his native land while remaining wholly French, the tale feels both rooted in a specific countryside and resonant with universal myth. The preface sets a warm, scholarly tone that invites listeners to imagine rust‑colored hills, ancient stone houses, and whispered village legends.
The narrative follows a mysterious woman who arrives under a moonlit sky, bearing an uncanny charm that both fascinates and unsettles the locals. As rumors of her link to the devil spread, a young shepherd and an aging priest each confront their own fears and doubts, drawing the listener into a web of superstition, love, and danger. The early chapters build tension through vivid descriptions and a cadence that echoes the oral tradition of regional ballads.
Listening to this legend, you’ll hear the crackle of a fireside tale told with poetic precision, while the language remains accessible enough for a modern ear. The story’s rhythm and mood make the first act an engaging immersion into a world where the ordinary and the uncanny walk hand in hand.
Language
fr
Duration
~1 hours (79K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by Laurent Vogel, Chuck Greif and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images generously made available by the Bibliothèque nationale de France (BnF/Gallica) at http://gallica.bnf.fr)
Release date
2010-08-31
Rights
Public domain in the USA.
1809–1877
A little-known 19th-century French poet and storyteller, he is remembered especially for La femme du diable and for his deep ties to Périgord. His life moved through hardship, art, and literature, giving his work a distinctly local and personal feel.
View all books
by Philippe Aubert de Gaspé

by Annie Keary, Eliza Keary

by Laure Conan

by Izumo Takeda, Shoraku Miyoshi, Senryu Namiki

by George Sand

by Honoré de Balzac

by Madame de (Anne-Louise-Germaine) Staël