Les Demi-Vierges

''Les Demi-Vierges'' by Marcel Prévost is a novel likely written during the late 19th century. The story delves into the complex moral landscape of Parisian society, focusing on the lives and dynamics of young women navigating their identities in a luxurious yet superficial world. The opening of the novel introduces us to Maud de Rouvre, a young woman who is preparing for an upcoming social event while managing the discontent of her ailing mother. As she writes a telegram to a man named Aaron and discusses the attendees for a soirée planned for the following day, we see hints of her desire to gain social standing and maintain her delicate balance in a world rife with flirtation and societal expectation. This section establishes the nuanced interactions between Maud, her family, and visitors as they navigate relationships and social pressures, setting the stage for the exploration of themes such as morality, attraction, and the roles of women in their pursuit of happiness and respectability within the context of contemporary Parisian life.