About this book
Contes irrévérencieux by Armand Silvestre is a razor-sharp collection of satirical short stories that lampoon provincial manners and bourgeois pretensions with playful malice. Set in late 19th-century France, Silvestre’s tales move from tree-lined promenades to cluttered parlors, revealing characters whose small ambitions and odd vanities become comic mirrors of an era on the cusp of modernity. With a tone equal parts witty and observant, these irreverent tales mix character sketches, mischievous irony, and moral insight without ever losing their lightness.
Readers will find recurring themes of social hypocrisy, the comforts and limitations of bourgeois life, and the tiny rebellions that puncture respectability. Silvestre’s prose—now rendered for the ear in this audiobook—captures the rhythms and atmospheres of the Third Republic, offering historical color alongside timeless human truths. The stories are classics of French short fiction, rich in humor and period detail yet brisk enough to charm contemporary listeners.
Ideal for fans of classic French literature, lovers of satirical short stories, and anyone who enjoys character-driven, witty narratives, this audiobook is a delightful, thought-provoking listen for commutes, study breaks, or cozy evenings.
