A Cruel Enigma: Classic Book Guide and Free Edition
A Cruel Enigma: author and translator credits, catalogue synopsis, subjects and links to the Gutenberg reading formats.

A Cruel Enigma is catalogued by Project Gutenberg with author credits for Bourget, Paul (1852–1935). The listed translation credits are Cray, Julian.
Catalogue synopsis
Project Gutenberg supplies this automated synopsis of the opening text:
"A Cruel Enigma" by Paul Bourget is a novel written in the late 19th century. The story explores complex themes of love, desire, and the psychological intricacies of human relationships, particularly through the experiences of its main character, Hubert Liauran, and the women in his life, including the widows Madame Castel and Madame Liauran, along with Hubert's romantic entanglement with the married woman, Madame de Sauve. At the start of the novel, we are introduced to General Count Alexander Scilly, who reflects on his relationship with two widows, Madame Castel and Madame Liauran, and their shared concerns for their son, Hubert. As the narrative unfolds, Scilly grapples with the growing melancholy of the two women and their increasing preoccupation with Hubert's well-being. Hubert, meanwhile, is torn between his love for the widows who raised him and a passionate affair with Madame de Sauve, a married woman. The initial chapters set the stage for a deep psychological exploration of love's intricacies, societal pressures, and the internal conflicts of the characters, hinting at the moral and emotional complexities that will develop further in the story.
Book and edition facts
- Title: A Cruel Enigma
- Author credits: Bourget, Paul (1852–1935)
- Catalogue language: English
- Translator credits: Cray, Julian
Catalogue subjects
- French fiction -- Translations into English
- Love -- Fiction
- Man-woman relationships -- Fiction
Gutenberg collections
- Category: French Literature
- Category: Novels
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View the complete Gutenberg catalogue record. Project Gutenberg identifies this edition as public domain in the United States; that designation does not establish its copyright status in every country.
Source notes
Catalogue metadata is public domain and is supplied through Gutendex, which imports Gutenberg's machine-readable catalogue. The automated synopsis is source-supplied, not an independently verified review. Author dates above describe the credited people; no ebook release date is presented as the book's original publication date.


