
REMY DE GOURMONT
The work opens with a playful letter addressed to an Amazonian muse, in which the narrator—a satyr with a sharp, instinctive mind—explains his purpose. He positions himself as a foil to reason, wandering through human follies with a child‑like honesty that exposes pretensions. Through witty observations he questions the value of money, the constraints of polite society, and the ease with which people accept their own servitude. His tone is both mischievous and oddly compassionate, inviting listeners into his wandering thoughts.
Early in the collection he recounts a scandal involving a young pair of street urchins who, despite poverty, find solace in each other's company. The authorities separate them, sparking a commentary on how society bursts into moral outrage over simple affection. These episodes blend gentle humor with sharp criticism, giving a glimpse of the satyr’s yearning for a broader stage where instinct and conscience can meet. Listeners will find a rich tapestry of irony and tender reflection.
Language
fr
Duration
~1 hours (114K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by Thanks to Carlo Traverso, Laurent Vogel and the Distributed Proofreading team at DP-test Italia. (This file was produced from images generously made available by the Bibliothèque nationale de France (BnF/Gallica) at http://gallica.bnf.fr)
Release date
Nov 18, 2018
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1858–1915
A sharp, wide-ranging voice of French Symbolism, he wrote poetry, fiction, and criticism that helped shape the literary mood of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. His work is known for its intelligence, independence, and restless curiosity.
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