A Living Lie

"A Living Lie" by Paul Bourget is a story unfolds in the vibrant world of Parisian high society during the late 1800s. It's a tale about chasing dreams, the lies we tell ourselves, and how people connect with each other. The story follows two writers: Claude Larcher, who knows the ins and outs of upper-class life but feels lost inside, and René Vincy, a fresh-faced poet suddenly thrown into the spotlight. The book starts with Claude going to pick up René for a party at a fancy countess's house. René has just become famous for his play. Claude is tired of the superficial aspects of society, while René is excited but also vulnerable to being caught up in them. This sets everything up to explore what happens when artistic goals run into the expectations of society.