Ein Liebesabenteuer • Alexandre Dumas

I associate Alexandre Dumas with nothing less than superb, captivating literature — witty and grand, full of love, adventure, fascinating characters, and always with a touch of philosophy, wisdom, and moral reflection. When I came across this book on Tilman’s blog and saw that it had been translated into German for the very first time, I knew I had to have it immediately.

At just around 200 pages, it’s not exactly a hefty volume — the perfect little literary treat in between longer reads. What makes it particularly interesting is that Dumas himself is the protagonist of this tale, and he perfectly embodies the image I already had of him. As we’d say in Bavaria, des is a ganz a Wuida — a real wild one. With his numerous affairs, his slightly self-absorbed yet somehow not arrogant manner, tinged with a touch of irony, he comes across as both entertaining and utterly charming.

In this story, he embarks on a small journey with a young actress. From Brussels to a romantic boat ride, he describes how he and Lilla grow closer — and from their very first encounter throughout the book, there’s an unmistakable erotic spark. The narrative is lively and spontaneous, full of short anecdotes from his life, colorful clichés about the Germans, encounters with artists and kings, and eventually another love story he experiences. In its overall frame, the book reminded me somewhat of One Last Day of Infinity — not a story of great drama or deep emotion, but rather a pleasant, easygoing read filled with landscapes, nature, engaging dialogue, and vivid impressions. It doesn’t demand much — a wonderfully relaxing read for a quiet afternoon or a beach chair.

I particularly loved the setting of his love story, which took me back to the Strait of Messina — the narrow stretch of sea between Sicily and Calabria. The reference to Charybdis and Scylla, and the fact that Dumas had a romantic episode right there — where I myself have spent so many reading hours alongside ‘Ndrja — made me smile (readers of my blog will know exactly which book I’m referring to).

Conclusion: This tale is a light, enjoyable, and relaxing read. Without his usual grand narrative flourishes, Dumas tells an authentic story full of small impressions that offer an intriguing glimpse into the man behind the great novels. Like a brief excursion, one is entertained by his witty anecdotes, national stereotypes, and descriptions of the beautiful landscapes he traveled through. You won’t find the sweeping prose and fast-paced storytelling of his major works here, but rather a short and pleasant stroll through the life of one of the greatest authors of all time.

Book information: Ein Liebesabenteuer • Alexandre Dumas • Manesse Verlag • 208 pages • ISBN 9783717521907