Psyche

By Louis Couperus

(3.5 stars) • 10 reviews

In a world of castles and princesses, one young royal dares to dream of soaring beyond her gilded cage.

Genres

Culture/Civilization/Society Literature Fiction

Released

2011-11-13

Formats

epub

mobi

epub (images)

mobi (images)

epub3 (images)

txt

Read Now

Summary

"Psyche" by Louis Couperus is an early 20th-century novel that explores a princess's yearning for freedom and self-discovery. Psyche, the youngest princess in the Kingdom of the Past, feels trapped by her royal life. Though the castle is grand and beautiful, and her sisters, Emeralda and Astra, are always busy, she longs to be free. Initially we see Psyche spending her time wandering along the battlements of her father's castle. From the battlements Psyche hopes to escape what oppresses her. The story begins to build to the moment when she meets the Chimera, a winged horse that she comes to admire for its freedom. The story is filled with beauty and longing and hints at Psyche's inner turmoil and desires. It becomes clear that she is about to challenge her oppressive royal expectations, beginning on a journey of self-discovery and possible love.