'Gloria Victis!' A Romance

"Gloria Victis!" by Ossip Schubin is a story set in 19th-century Paris, swirling with social change, where the old aristocracy clashes with the rising class of rich businessmen. It follows the Truyn family, especially young Gabrielle, and the men who want to marry her, like the greedy Count Capriani’s son, which allows the story to explore love, class differences, and what society expects. The book starts with Baroness Melkweyser visiting to talk about Gabrielle's marriage options. The story is put in a fancy but gloomy Paris right after Lent, where characters deal with what they want and what society expects of them. The complicated relationships within the Truyn family are shown, along with a growing love between Gabrielle and her cousin Oswald. The baroness's marriage discussion quickly brings out different opinions on love and status, promising a story full of emotional struggles and a close look at social rules.