Les Obsédés

''Les Obsédés'' by Léon Frapié is a novel written in the early 20th century. The story revolves around Ferdinand Prestal, a budding writer employed at a railway company, and his relationship with his wife Marthe, who plays a significant role in his literary ambitions. The narrative explores themes of ambition, domestic life, and the struggles of the marginalized as Ferdinand seeks to depict the lives of the unfortunate in his writing. The opening of the novel introduces Ferdinand and Marthe’s marriage, highlighting Ferdinand’s passion for writing and the assistance he seeks from Marthe in his literary endeavors. We learn about Ferdinand's conviction that domestic and social themes are vital to his writing, prompting him to draw inspiration from their lives and the people Marthe encounters at her workplace, an institution for women in distress. As the story unfolds, we see Ferdinand express his desire to write a novel, one that is both empathetic and reflective of societal issues, while Marthe engages with the stories of those they meet, notably Catherine Bise, a young mother whose plight captivates Ferdinand's imagination. The text captures a vivid portrayal of their lives amid hopes, dreams, and struggles, setting the stage for deeper explorations of personal and societal dynamics.