King Candaules

By Theophile Gautier

2015

First Published

3.53

Average Rating

Number of Pages

1H42M

Audio Length

BEHIND THE VEIL! The rapid apparition of Nyssia had dazzled his eyes like the keen zigzag of a lightning flash. He beheld her floating before him in a luminous whirlwind, and felt that never through all his life could he banish that image from his vision. His love had grown to vastness; its flower had suddenly burst, like those plants which open their blossoms with a clap of thunder. To master his passion were henceforth a thing impossible. * She was the most beautiful woman on Earth—but Nyssia's husband, King Candaules, could not flaunt his wife's beauty, because tradition and decorum demanded she wear a veil. This drove King Candaules quite literally mad. Enter Gyges, who falls in love with the Queen—and enter with him drama . . . and tragedy.

Avg Rating

3.53

Number of Ratings

5 STARS

4 STARS

47%

3 STARS

40%

2 STARS

1 STARS

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Author

Theophile Gautier

Author · 30 books

Pierre Jules Théophile Gautier was a French poet, dramatist, novelist, journalist, and literary critic. In the 1830 Revolution, he chose to stay with friends in the Doyenné district of Paris, living a rather pleasant bohemian life. He began writing poetry as early as 1826 but the majority of his life was spent as a contributor to various journals, mainly for La Presse, which also gave him the opportunity for foreign travel and meeting many influential contacts in high society and in the world of the arts, which inspired many of his writings including Voyage en Espagne (1843), Trésors d'Art de la Russie (1858), and Voyage en Russie (1867). He was a celebrated abandonnée of the Romantic Ballet, writing several scenarios, the most famous of which is Giselle. His prestige was confirmed by his role as director of Revue de Paris from 1851-1856. During this time, he became a journalist for Le Moniteur universel, then the editorship of influential review L'Artiste in 1856. His works include: Albertus (1830), La Comédie de la Mort (1838), Une Larme du Diable (1839), Constantinople (1853) and L'Art Moderne (1856)