The Story

Meet M. Dubois, a content, middle-class Frenchman with a comfortable life and a devoted wife. Everything changes when he discovers the novels of Honoré de Balzac. Immersed in tales of passionate affairs, social climbing, and dramatic betrayals among the Parisian elite, Dubois becomes a different man. He starts to view his own respectable, perhaps slightly dull, existence with disdain. He begins to dress differently, drop names, and adopt the cynical philosophies of Balzac's characters. His poor wife can only watch as the man she married is slowly replaced by a fictional ideal, and their stable world begins to crack under the weight of borrowed drama.

Why You Should Read It

Maurois writes with a light touch, but his point is sharp. This isn't just a story about a man reading books; it's about the power stories have over us. How they can make us dissatisfied, make us dream of different lives, and sometimes make us forget the good things right in front of us. The real tension isn't in grand scandals, but in the quiet, bewildered hurt in Madame Dubois's eyes. You'll laugh at M. Dubois's ridiculous posturing, but you might also catch yourself wondering if you've ever let a book or a movie color your view of your own world.

Final Verdict

This is a perfect pick for readers who love books about books, or anyone who enjoys a smart, character-driven comedy of manners. It's short, clever, and packs a real emotional punch beneath its witty surface. If you've ever fallen so hard for a fictional universe that the real one seemed a bit pale in comparison, you'll find a kindred, if cautionary, spirit in M. Dubois. A little gem that proves a story can be both charming and deeply insightful.