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Literary Fiction· France

Red and the Black

by Stendhal
Aggregate Editorial Score38/100
Times Literary Supplement
Published 1830518 pagesEnglish
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About This Book

When Stendhal published Red and the Black in 1830, it quickly found its place in the broader tradition of literary fiction. Julien Sorel, a carpenter's son of burning ambition and conflicted class identity, rises through seduction and manipulation in Restoration France until a final act of violence brings everything down. Stendhal's first great novel is a founding text of psychological realism. Themes of ambition, class, hypocrisy run through the work. The book has received recognition from Times Literary Supplement 1830.

Book Details

AuthorStendhal
Published1830
Country of Origin🇫🇷 France
LanguageEnglish
Pages518
Category📖 Literary Fiction
ISBN9780140447644
Editorial Score38/100
About the Category

📖 Literary Fiction

Character-driven fiction that prioritises style, theme, and psychological depth.

Explore all Literary Fiction books →
Country of Origin

🇫🇷 France

This book is part of France's rich literary tradition.

Explore books from France →

Editorial Assessment

Red and the Black by Stendhal sits within the tradition of literary fiction that treats language as seriously as plot. Published in 1830 in France, it engages with ambition, class, hypocrisy, love in ways that have earned it lasting critical attention. Among its recognitions: Times Literary Supplement 1830. With an editorial score of 38/100 drawn from 1 independent sources, the book occupies a well-documented position in the critical literature. Its recognition spans international prizes, "best of" lists, and academic surveys. The appeal of Red and the Black lies partly in its refusal to offer easy answers. Its exploration of ambition, class, hypocrisy, love is sustained, textured, and genuinely thought-provoking in ways that stay with readers well after the final page. Within France's literary landscape, Stendhal occupies a significant position. Red and the Black is both a personal artistic statement and a contribution to a tradition shaped by the country's history and cultural concerns.
About this assessment: Editorial scores are aggregated from 1 independent sources including major literary prizes, critical surveys, and leading publications. Our editorial team reviews and contextualises this data. Rankings reflect critical consensus, not personal opinion or popularity metrics. Learn about our methodology.

Awards & Recognition

Times Literary Supplement
list · global
183012
✍️
About the Author
Stendhal
France
View Author →

Stendhal is a celebrated author from France known for influential works of literary fiction.

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Designed to Feel
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Frequently Asked Questions

What is Red and the Black about?

Julien Sorel, a carpenter's son of burning ambition and conflicted class identity, rises through seduction and manipulation in Restoration France until a final act of violence brings everything down. Stendhal's first great novel is a founding text of psychological realism.

Who wrote Red and the Black?

Red and the Black was written by Stendhal, from France. First published in 1830.

What awards has Red and the Black won?

Red and the Black has received the following awards and honours: Times Literary Supplement 1830.

Is Red and the Black worth reading?

Red and the Black is a book that has earned critical recognition, with an aggregate editorial score of 12/100 on 50 Best Books, based on mentions across 1 editorial source. It is particularly recommended for readers interested in ambition, class, hypocrisy.

Where can I buy Red and the Black?

You can buy Red and the Black on Amazon. Click the Buy on Amazon button above to find the best edition.

What category is Red and the Black?

Red and the Black is classified as Literary Fiction. Character-driven fiction that prioritises style, theme, and psychological depth.

What country is Red and the Black from?

Red and the Black originates from France's literary tradition. Explore more books from France on our country page.

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