Carmen et la Vénus d'Ille

Carmen et la Vénus d'Ille is a novella by Prosper Mérimée, published in 1845, that intertwines two stories: the tale of the infamous gypsy Carmen and the mysterious events surrounding a malevolent statue, the Venus of Ille. The narrative is framed by the encounter between the narrator and don José, who recounts his tumultuous relationship with Carmen, a character that has become iconic through Georges Bizet's opera. Mérimée's work is notable for its exploration of themes such as passion, fate, and the supernatural, making it a significant contribution to 19th-century literature.