
A rainstorm lashes the windows as a solitary narrator watches the world blur into light and shadow. In the midst of the tempest, an enigmatic young woman in a floral kimono sits at a writing desk, her demeanor cool and indifferent, yet somehow magnetic. Their brief, wordless encounter sparks a quiet meditation on identity, the fleeting nature of beauty, and the way external weather mirrors inner turbulence.
Through lyrical observations, the story unfolds as a study of perception—how a fleeting glance can stir deeper questions about self and the mysteries we keep hidden. The narrator’s reflections blend the ordinary with the poetic, inviting listeners to linger on the delicate balance between calm and storm. As the rain eases, the narrative promises further exploration of the protagonist’s inner landscape and the subtle, lingering intrigue of the woman who briefly entered his view.
Language
fr
Duration
~6 hours (399K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Original publisher
Paris: Plon, 1923, pubdate 1928.
Credits
Laurent Vogel (This file was produced from images generously made available by the Bibliothèque nationale de France (BnF/Gallica))
Release date
2024-02-17
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1863–1938
A bestselling French novelist writing under a pen name, she became known for warm, morally centered stories that were especially popular with women readers in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
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