
PAPA BOUCHARD
In a sleepy corner of Paris, the genteel Mademoiselle Céleste Bouchard enjoys the quiet rhythm of her modest apartment on Rue Clarisse. Her brother Paul, a fifty‑four‑year‑old lawyer admired for his propriety and unwavering devotion, has been the steady pillar of the household for decades. When an unexpected “cataclysm” sweeps the men from the home—valet, brother, and all—Céleste’s orderly world is turned upside down, exposing the delicate balance of obedience, affection, and social expectation.
The narrative follows the lively ensemble of servants, relatives, and curious neighbors as they scramble to fill the sudden void. Through witty dialogue and vivid scenes of Parisian life, the story paints a charming portrait of a family caught between tradition and the chaos of change. It’s a gentle comedy that celebrates the quirks of domestic devotion while hinting at the inevitable growth that follows disruption.
Language
en
Duration
~3 hours (203K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Original publisher
United States: Chas. Scribner's Sons, 1901.
Credits
D A Alexander, David E. Brown, and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images generously made available by University of California libraries)
Release date
2023-04-05
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1860–1916
A Virginia-born writer with a sharp eye for history and adventure, she built a wide-ranging career that included novels, short stories, and popular historical writing. Her books often drew on naval life and the American past, giving readers lively stories rooted in strong research and vivid scene-setting.
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