Le Cocu (Novels of Paul de Kock Volume XVIII)

A respectable Parisian husband, confident in his marriage and his place in respectable society, finds his world quietly shifting when whispers of his wife's indiscretions begin to surface. The narrative follows his uneasy attempts to reconcile the comforting routines of domestic life with the unsettling possibility that his beloved may be unfaithful. Through witty dialogue and keen observation, the story captures the delicate dance between appearances and hidden desires in the bustling streets and salons of the capital.

As the protagonist navigates rumors, jealous rivals, and his own mounting suspicion, the novel offers a sharp, yet gentle satire of the moral codes that govern love and honor. It reveals how ambition, envy, and the longing for approval can twist even the most sincere relationships, all while keeping a light, humorous tone. Listeners will be drawn into a vivid portrait of early‑19th‑century French society, where laughter and scandal often walk hand in hand.