Le vrai bonheur : $b ou, Les amants de Stresa

In the quiet aftermath of a society that prized surface over substance, a thoughtful observer finds himself drawn to the fringe of Parisian life—people who have deliberately left the bustling salons for private islands of art, music and unconventional liberty. Through his measured curiosity he encounters the enigmatic Count de Barnejac, a figure of extravagant taste whose mysterious talent is hinted at more by rumor than by performance. The narrator’s fascination with the count’s strange habits—silken Japanese jackets, a glittering pool, exotic snakes—offers a glimpse into a world where elegance masks deeper eccentricities.

As their acquaintance deepens, the narrator is invited into the count’s secluded quarters, where whispered conversations, unpublished verses and hidden paintings reveal a fragile yearning for genuine connection. Their interactions hint at a bond that could become more than mere friendship, setting the stage for a delicate exploration of what true happiness means when conventional expectations are abandoned. The opening promises an intimate portrait of love, art, and the restless search for personal freedom.