What do you think?
Rate this book
Colomba
Balle chaude ou fer froid ! En Corse, lorsqu'on a un ennemi, il faut choisir entre les « 3S », Schiopetto, Stiletto, Strada. Le fusil, le stylet ou la fuite !
Orso della Rebbia en fait la tragique expérience bien malgré lui. A peine a-t-il foulé le sol natal que sa sœur lui rappelle son devoir : venger son père assassiné deux ans plus tôt. Un acte qui échoit à Orso en qualité de chef de famille, dût-il périr ou finir ses jours dans le maquis !
Colomba a juré la mort des Barricini. De ruses en provocations, de guerres sourdes en chicanes, de haines avouées en défis, elle conduit ainsi son frère à l'irréparable...
Orso della Rebbia en fait la tragique expérience bien malgré lui. A peine a-t-il foulé le sol natal que sa sœur lui rappelle son devoir : venger son père assassiné deux ans plus tôt. Un acte qui échoit à Orso en qualité de chef de famille, dût-il périr ou finir ses jours dans le maquis !
Colomba a juré la mort des Barricini. De ruses en provocations, de guerres sourdes en chicanes, de haines avouées en défis, elle conduit ainsi son frère à l'irréparable...
154 pages, Pocket Book
First published April 5, 1840
33 people are currently reading
637 people want to read
About the author
Prosper Mérimée
1,245 books168 followersProsper Mérimée was a French dramatist, historian, archaeologist, and short story writer. He is perhaps best known for his novella Carmen, which became the basis of Bizet's opera Carmen.
Mérimée loved mysticism, history, and the unusual, and may have been influenced by Charles Nodier (though he did not appreciate his works), the historical fiction popularised by Sir Walter Scott and the cruelty and psychological drama of Aleksandr Pushkin. Many of his stories are mysteries set in foreign places, Spain and Russia being popular sources of inspiration.
In 1834, Mérimée was appointed to the post of inspector-general of historical monuments. He was a born archaeologist, combining linguistic faculty of a very unusual kind with accurate scholarship, with remarkable historical appreciation, and with a sincere love for the arts of design and construction, in the former of which he had some practical skill. In his official capacity he published numerous reports, some of which, with other similar pieces, have been republished in his works.
He was also responsible for several translations of Pushkin and Gogol, when they weren't known in Europe yet.
Mérimée loved mysticism, history, and the unusual, and may have been influenced by Charles Nodier (though he did not appreciate his works), the historical fiction popularised by Sir Walter Scott and the cruelty and psychological drama of Aleksandr Pushkin. Many of his stories are mysteries set in foreign places, Spain and Russia being popular sources of inspiration.
In 1834, Mérimée was appointed to the post of inspector-general of historical monuments. He was a born archaeologist, combining linguistic faculty of a very unusual kind with accurate scholarship, with remarkable historical appreciation, and with a sincere love for the arts of design and construction, in the former of which he had some practical skill. In his official capacity he published numerous reports, some of which, with other similar pieces, have been republished in his works.
He was also responsible for several translations of Pushkin and Gogol, when they weren't known in Europe yet.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 29 of 72 reviews
July 4, 2019
If you are looking for an exciting French classic that isn't half a thousand pages long, look no further. Colomba is a masterfully written tale of revenge that takes the shape of a short novel (novella). I've only read Colomba recently, but better late than never. I'm very impressed by this tale and even more by Merimee's precise and beautiful writing.
Early into the novel, I found myself fascinated with Corsica and its traditions. First we are introduced to a very sensible British family consisting of a father (who is a hunting enthusiast) and a daughter (who is a helpless flirt but kindhearted). These two serve as witnesses of the sorts for most of the story and at some point they get involved in the events. Their decision to travel to Corsica is something that will change their lives as will introduce father and daughter with the protagonist of this novel, young Orso.
Who is Colomba this novella is named after? Well, Colomba is Orso' sister, and she waits for him to come back home and revenge their father's death. Orso returns home to Corsica after a long absence. He is a changed man. The British family of two agrees to let him travel with them. Orso is infatuated with the British girl, and befriends her father. Through their and Orso's eye we are able to observe Corsica. I had the feeling that the author used Corsica's unique customs to criticize modern society of the time.
In Corsica of the time they shot more than game (according to Merimee), but even though murders are not uncommon, you're not likely to get robbed. Do I sense a critique of modern society obsessed with wealth there? Perhaps there is something to that. Merimee's writing is often set in remote places, perhaps to make us reevaluate things we take for granted. Moreover, the remoteness of the location creates an aroma of mysticism, so popular with the romantics. Orso finally meets her bloodthirsty sister the fatal Colomba, but under the influence of the British girl he promises to resist the temptation of blood revenge.
The characterization of Colomba is perhaps a little one dimensional, but seeing as she is the femme fatale of this story, that is perhaps inevitable. When I call her femme fatale, I don't mean that in the classical way. Colomba is beautiful young woman, but she acts almost a man, her entire being focused on vendetta. She is resourceful, cunning and intelligent but everything she does seems to serve one function and that does make Colomba seem a bit inhuman. The author provided us with Colomba's history and added many details into her portrayal, but everything about her still seems rigid. In other words, even if Colomba is superbly described and well written, the reader invariably feels that she is a work of art more that a human being.
Colomba is the character who constantly sets things in motion, she is a force a nature, a part of Corsica, a living incarnation of blood revenge. She never rests, never changes, and seems to never sleep. Colomba is almost too passionate to be real. Nevertheless, this doesn't make the story any less interesting to read. It is hard to see Colomba as a real person, but it is easy to understand Orso's dilemma. He is, quite possibly, the true protagonist of the novel, a young man in love, a man of both Corsica and the world. Caught between the desire to revenge his father and a love toward a British lady, Orso is torn. He is no coward, but he can't imagine taking another man's life, not like that (meaning by killing someone in cold blood). At start Orso doesn't even believe the story of his father's murder. However, once his sister makes him see things in a different light, Orso's blood starts to boil. What will he do? Will he throw away his life because of revenge?
"Brother," said Colomba, in a serious voice, "you are master here, and everything in this house belongs to you. But I warn you that I will give this little girl my mezzaro, so that she may sell it; rather than refuse powder to a bandit.”
Early into the novel, I found myself fascinated with Corsica and its traditions. First we are introduced to a very sensible British family consisting of a father (who is a hunting enthusiast) and a daughter (who is a helpless flirt but kindhearted). These two serve as witnesses of the sorts for most of the story and at some point they get involved in the events. Their decision to travel to Corsica is something that will change their lives as will introduce father and daughter with the protagonist of this novel, young Orso.
Who is Colomba this novella is named after? Well, Colomba is Orso' sister, and she waits for him to come back home and revenge their father's death. Orso returns home to Corsica after a long absence. He is a changed man. The British family of two agrees to let him travel with them. Orso is infatuated with the British girl, and befriends her father. Through their and Orso's eye we are able to observe Corsica. I had the feeling that the author used Corsica's unique customs to criticize modern society of the time.
In Corsica of the time they shot more than game (according to Merimee), but even though murders are not uncommon, you're not likely to get robbed. Do I sense a critique of modern society obsessed with wealth there? Perhaps there is something to that. Merimee's writing is often set in remote places, perhaps to make us reevaluate things we take for granted. Moreover, the remoteness of the location creates an aroma of mysticism, so popular with the romantics. Orso finally meets her bloodthirsty sister the fatal Colomba, but under the influence of the British girl he promises to resist the temptation of blood revenge.
The characterization of Colomba is perhaps a little one dimensional, but seeing as she is the femme fatale of this story, that is perhaps inevitable. When I call her femme fatale, I don't mean that in the classical way. Colomba is beautiful young woman, but she acts almost a man, her entire being focused on vendetta. She is resourceful, cunning and intelligent but everything she does seems to serve one function and that does make Colomba seem a bit inhuman. The author provided us with Colomba's history and added many details into her portrayal, but everything about her still seems rigid. In other words, even if Colomba is superbly described and well written, the reader invariably feels that she is a work of art more that a human being.
Colomba is the character who constantly sets things in motion, she is a force a nature, a part of Corsica, a living incarnation of blood revenge. She never rests, never changes, and seems to never sleep. Colomba is almost too passionate to be real. Nevertheless, this doesn't make the story any less interesting to read. It is hard to see Colomba as a real person, but it is easy to understand Orso's dilemma. He is, quite possibly, the true protagonist of the novel, a young man in love, a man of both Corsica and the world. Caught between the desire to revenge his father and a love toward a British lady, Orso is torn. He is no coward, but he can't imagine taking another man's life, not like that (meaning by killing someone in cold blood). At start Orso doesn't even believe the story of his father's murder. However, once his sister makes him see things in a different light, Orso's blood starts to boil. What will he do? Will he throw away his life because of revenge?
"Brother," said Colomba, in a serious voice, "you are master here, and everything in this house belongs to you. But I warn you that I will give this little girl my mezzaro, so that she may sell it; rather than refuse powder to a bandit.”
February 11, 2020
"Ya nadie tiene valor hoy en día, y los jóvenes se preocupan de la sangre de sus padres como si todos fueran bastardos"
Me gustó mucho esta obra de Mérimée aunque me quedo con "Carmen". de hecho lo primero a decir es que el título de esta novela no grafica adecuadamente toda la historia, le faltó fuerza y sustento en todo caso a la "protagonista" Colomba que no llega al nivel de Carmen.
En realidad la historia no es tanto de ella sino del joven teniente Orso Della Rebbia, joven natural de Córcega, quien es llevado desde muy joven a Francia donde se hace militar y participa en numerosos combates entre ellos la batalla de Waterloo junto con su propio padre que llegó a ser Coronel. Pues la historia empieza in media res, de hecho, me encantó la introducción, el inicio tan propio de Mérimée. Cuando nos empieza hablando del coronel inglés Sir Thomas Nevil y su hermosa hija Miss Lydia quienes viajando por el continente conocen al joven Della Rebbia. Él va con ellos de casualidad rumbo a su región natal Córcega luego de muchos años para volver a encontrarse con su familia enterándose que su padre ha muerto de una manera artera y cruel, asesinado presuntamente por los enemigos históricos de su familia los Barricini, él no está seguro de quiénes son los autores reales pero para ello tiene a su hermana Colomba quien ansía el momento en que su hermano cobre venganza.
Colomba realmente me cayó mal la mayor parte del tiempo por su vehemencia, irresponsabilidad, egoísmo y otras cosas. La obra trata de pintar de buena forma las costumbres italianas (que tanto he visto retratadas en Stendhal), en este caso de la venganza, del honor (aunque esta clase me pareció muy diferente al francés), a la apología del asesinato y del bandolerismo. Es en cierto modo una pugna entre la civilización y el salvajismo.
Orso viene bastante cambiado pues ha vivido en Francia y sus costumbres son diferentes y hasta se olvida de las maneras de actuar tan propia de los corsos (aunque quizás con algunos prejuicios), por otro lado al llegar se encuentra con que todo el pueblo habla un lenguaje común, todos desean que cobre venganza y toda esa gente de pueblo revela una actitud "agreste" por no decir incivilizada. A primera mano está su hermana Colomba quien como menciono debe haber sido el interés de Mérimée sin embargo no llega a ser el centro gravitacional de la obra. Ella es una mujer alta, hermosa pero bastante preparada en todo lo que tiene que ver con su venganza, sabe repartir golpes y desde luego orquestar con bandidos y toda clase de gente artimañas y emboscadas. Es la "Electra" en esta obra pero no me llega a convencer.
Me quedo más con la valentía de Orso, con su amistad con la orgullosa Myss Lydia y con la caballerosidad y generosidad del coronel Nevil. El manejo de la acción desde luego es magistral así como el hilo de la trama.
Me gustó mucho esta obra de Mérimée aunque me quedo con "Carmen". de hecho lo primero a decir es que el título de esta novela no grafica adecuadamente toda la historia, le faltó fuerza y sustento en todo caso a la "protagonista" Colomba que no llega al nivel de Carmen.
En realidad la historia no es tanto de ella sino del joven teniente Orso Della Rebbia, joven natural de Córcega, quien es llevado desde muy joven a Francia donde se hace militar y participa en numerosos combates entre ellos la batalla de Waterloo junto con su propio padre que llegó a ser Coronel. Pues la historia empieza in media res, de hecho, me encantó la introducción, el inicio tan propio de Mérimée. Cuando nos empieza hablando del coronel inglés Sir Thomas Nevil y su hermosa hija Miss Lydia quienes viajando por el continente conocen al joven Della Rebbia. Él va con ellos de casualidad rumbo a su región natal Córcega luego de muchos años para volver a encontrarse con su familia enterándose que su padre ha muerto de una manera artera y cruel, asesinado presuntamente por los enemigos históricos de su familia los Barricini, él no está seguro de quiénes son los autores reales pero para ello tiene a su hermana Colomba quien ansía el momento en que su hermano cobre venganza.
Colomba realmente me cayó mal la mayor parte del tiempo por su vehemencia, irresponsabilidad, egoísmo y otras cosas. La obra trata de pintar de buena forma las costumbres italianas (que tanto he visto retratadas en Stendhal), en este caso de la venganza, del honor (aunque esta clase me pareció muy diferente al francés), a la apología del asesinato y del bandolerismo. Es en cierto modo una pugna entre la civilización y el salvajismo.
Orso viene bastante cambiado pues ha vivido en Francia y sus costumbres son diferentes y hasta se olvida de las maneras de actuar tan propia de los corsos (aunque quizás con algunos prejuicios), por otro lado al llegar se encuentra con que todo el pueblo habla un lenguaje común, todos desean que cobre venganza y toda esa gente de pueblo revela una actitud "agreste" por no decir incivilizada. A primera mano está su hermana Colomba quien como menciono debe haber sido el interés de Mérimée sin embargo no llega a ser el centro gravitacional de la obra. Ella es una mujer alta, hermosa pero bastante preparada en todo lo que tiene que ver con su venganza, sabe repartir golpes y desde luego orquestar con bandidos y toda clase de gente artimañas y emboscadas. Es la "Electra" en esta obra pero no me llega a convencer.
Me quedo más con la valentía de Orso, con su amistad con la orgullosa Myss Lydia y con la caballerosidad y generosidad del coronel Nevil. El manejo de la acción desde luego es magistral así como el hilo de la trama.
February 1, 2016
3,5 ....ποιο πολυ μου έχει μείνει η εξαιρετική τηλεοπτική σειρά ( ενδεχόμενος λέγω εικόνας )
October 17, 2012
Read the ultimate book on Corsican vendettas while in Corsica. There is a great beer named after the vengeful sister Colomba that is spiced with the herbs of the "Maquis", the wild interior of Corsica where outlaws went to leave beyond laws after carrying out a vendetta. Great book!
July 4, 2019
Je peux comprendre pourquoi Orso aime "les épaules et les cheveux blonds" de Lydia parce que chaque fois que je la lis parler je veux la jeter par la fenêtre.
"Aussitôt elle se leva, et posant sans cérémonie la tête d'Orso sur les genoux de miss Nevil, elle courut auprès des bandits.
Un peu étonnée de se trouver ainsi soutenant un beau jeune homme, en tête à tête avec lui au milieu d'un maquis, miss Nevil ne savait trop que faire"
C'est vraiment drôle, notre pauvre Colomba est entouré par des imbéciles...
Bien, ce livre offre une tres interesante perspective sur la vendetta corse. Lydia, elle est l'étranger, et Colomba, l'initié, sont comme ange et demon sur les épaules d'Orso, un produit de deux mondes et dans son adorable cerveau nous avons le conflit. Mais ce que j'aime ici c'est que les ideologies ou les cultures ne sont pas en conflit, c'est de la justice, pour Colomba, vers le souhait d'Orso d'être seulement un "continental".
De toute façon, on n'a pas de l'hybris ou de fin tragique et tous les personnages significants obtiennent ce qu'ils veuillent.
Bah! J’aurai aimé de lire quelque chose comme ça à l’école...
"Aussitôt elle se leva, et posant sans cérémonie la tête d'Orso sur les genoux de miss Nevil, elle courut auprès des bandits.
Un peu étonnée de se trouver ainsi soutenant un beau jeune homme, en tête à tête avec lui au milieu d'un maquis, miss Nevil ne savait trop que faire"
C'est vraiment drôle, notre pauvre Colomba est entouré par des imbéciles...
Bien, ce livre offre une tres interesante perspective sur la vendetta corse. Lydia, elle est l'étranger, et Colomba, l'initié, sont comme ange et demon sur les épaules d'Orso, un produit de deux mondes et dans son adorable cerveau nous avons le conflit. Mais ce que j'aime ici c'est que les ideologies ou les cultures ne sont pas en conflit, c'est de la justice, pour Colomba, vers le souhait d'Orso d'être seulement un "continental".
De toute façon, on n'a pas de l'hybris ou de fin tragique et tous les personnages significants obtiennent ce qu'ils veuillent.
Bah! J’aurai aimé de lire quelque chose comme ça à l’école...
April 6, 2009
The 19th century French romantics were fascinated by La Corse, a fairly recent acquisition that had not only spawned Napoleon, but whose savage inhabitants' code of justice presented such an ongoing anachronism to the mainland's progressive society.
Colomba is the best of the several novels by French romantics "discovering" the island and, apparently, paints the most faithful portrait of a village in the grips of an ongoing vendetta. The characters, with the exception of Orso, are fairly archetypal, but the circumstances that provoke a resumption of violence are satisfyingly ambiguous.
Colomba is the best of the several novels by French romantics "discovering" the island and, apparently, paints the most faithful portrait of a village in the grips of an ongoing vendetta. The characters, with the exception of Orso, are fairly archetypal, but the circumstances that provoke a resumption of violence are satisfyingly ambiguous.
January 21, 2024
nice happy ending just like all books should have
November 5, 2011
Priča o krvnoj osveti nije nepoznata ni na našim prostorima. Smatram da je dobro što je civilizacija toliko napredovala, pa je primenjivanjem Zakona došlo do ukidanja krvne osvete. Ipak "Kolomba" ukazuje i na još nešto: kada je jedna strana sklona podmetanju i falsifikovanju činjenica, čini se da je normalno podržati osvetu. Koliko god da sam protiv međusobnog ubijanja, osećam simpatiju za Kolombu i njenog brata Orsa.
April 14, 2016
This is a great adventure and love story set in Corsica in the period immediately following the Napoleonic Wars involving an English Rose and a gallant Mediterranean nobleman who is tall, dark and handsome. It's such a simple formula. Why can't the French write like this anymore.
January 23, 2011
this story really did inspired me! about the courage of a woman ... i really liked it!
July 30, 2022
This ought to be better known than it is. It's a fun-loving book about revenge, 1840s style, well written, with an interesting setting, a fast pace, and memorable characters.
August 14, 2017
je réalise au final que je n'aime pas les histoires de vendetta, même si c'est un Prosper Mérimée qui les écrit..
May 11, 2013
يستحق بروسبير الثناء على هذه الرواية الرائعة بأحداثها وشخصياتها ولعل ابرز هذه الشخصيات هي كولومبا نفسها التي كانت تعرف حقا من قتل أباها وتنتظر أن يعود أخاها المتسامح ليثأثر من قتلة أبيه .
رواية تستحق القراءة
رواية تستحق القراءة
May 15, 2025
1.5/5
Another book by Mérimée that I had to read for my literature seminar. And to be fair, I liked it less than Carmen. I wasn't really fond of the writing style and especially the narration. Moreover, I had my problems with the vendetta plot as some of the characters had similar names and I ended up forgetting, which character was on which side...
Another book by Mérimée that I had to read for my literature seminar. And to be fair, I liked it less than Carmen. I wasn't really fond of the writing style and especially the narration. Moreover, I had my problems with the vendetta plot as some of the characters had similar names and I ended up forgetting, which character was on which side...
January 8, 2024
Read this in the original French but also had the English translation beside it. I might do a video book review on this sometime later as there’s an interesting theme of revenge (vendetta).
July 15, 2017
Ecrit dans un style vieillot, l'histoire démontre tout ce que je n'aime pas sur la Corse et les Corses plus particulièrement.
January 27, 2017
Quite an enjoyable read! I am new to Prosper Merimée and (in fact to literature in general), and enjoy his rather modern mindset when he writes. it challenges the stereotypes I have about individuals living in, shall we say, less modern times.
According to Wikipedia, Colomba was written in 1840, while Carmen was written in 1845. Perhaps the characters here were prototypes of those in Carmen: Orso - strong, silent mysterious man, who over time becomes a hopeless romantic - ; Colomba - appearances of a dainty, beautiful, meek, young lady at first, but heaven help you if you cross her!
I did appreciate that both Carmen, Colomba, and also were female characters that had agency - though I do admit that all of them were painted in an anti-heroic light - not exactly progressive, but I guess it does invite the reader to consider that these women are not objects to be collected. I'm sure someone more eloquent and educated can correct or confirm my thoughts!
I enjoyed Merimée's simplicity in writing style, but similar to other short stories of his I have read, the climax seems to happen before one realizes it - this 21st century reader is used to the story climax at the very end, coupled with a plot twist, and while his stories are engaging, I did need to get used to his style of writing. For example I expected that at the end of Colomba, .
Finally, I did laugh out loud a few times during this story - at the banter of the bandits and also .
Enjoyable read all around!
According to Wikipedia, Colomba was written in 1840, while Carmen was written in 1845. Perhaps the characters here were prototypes of those in Carmen: Orso - strong, silent mysterious man, who over time becomes a hopeless romantic - ; Colomba - appearances of a dainty, beautiful, meek, young lady at first, but heaven help you if you cross her!
I did appreciate that both Carmen, Colomba, and also were female characters that had agency - though I do admit that all of them were painted in an anti-heroic light - not exactly progressive, but I guess it does invite the reader to consider that these women are not objects to be collected. I'm sure someone more eloquent and educated can correct or confirm my thoughts!
I enjoyed Merimée's simplicity in writing style, but similar to other short stories of his I have read, the climax seems to happen before one realizes it - this 21st century reader is used to the story climax at the very end, coupled with a plot twist, and while his stories are engaging, I did need to get used to his style of writing. For example I expected that at the end of Colomba, .
Finally, I did laugh out loud a few times during this story - at the banter of the bandits and also .
Enjoyable read all around!
December 16, 2016
Prosper Mérimée wrote the novel on which the opera "Carmen" is based.
Like "Carmen", "Colomba" has a remarkable 'heroine'. Set in Corsica during the early 19th century, this exciting novel describes how a British Colonel and his attractive daughter find themselves becoming involved in a vendetta between two rival families in a small hill town. Corsica, like Sicily and Albania, was reknowned for its vendettas. The English girl falls for Colomba's brother, who has recently returned from mainland France and the Napoleonic Wars. His father had been assassinated, and there is nothing that Colomba won't do to get him to avenge his father's murder.
I read an English translation. The short novel never failed to hold my attention. Incidentally, it was Mérimée and his novel "Colomba" that helped Edward Lear to decided to visit Corsica for a sketching trip.
Now, I am looking forward to starting to read "Carmen".
Like "Carmen", "Colomba" has a remarkable 'heroine'. Set in Corsica during the early 19th century, this exciting novel describes how a British Colonel and his attractive daughter find themselves becoming involved in a vendetta between two rival families in a small hill town. Corsica, like Sicily and Albania, was reknowned for its vendettas. The English girl falls for Colomba's brother, who has recently returned from mainland France and the Napoleonic Wars. His father had been assassinated, and there is nothing that Colomba won't do to get him to avenge his father's murder.
I read an English translation. The short novel never failed to hold my attention. Incidentally, it was Mérimée and his novel "Colomba" that helped Edward Lear to decided to visit Corsica for a sketching trip.
Now, I am looking forward to starting to read "Carmen".
February 12, 2022
Moi qui ne suis pas fan de littérature classique, j’ai vraiment apprécié ce livre-ci !
Le personnage énigmatique, intrépide et sauvage de Colomba m’a donné envie de suivre l’histoire jusqu’au bout, l’intrigue était vraiment bien construite, et la petite histoire d’amour était la bienvenue (même si mon coeur chavirait plutôt pour une aventure Miss Lydia - Colomba) !
J’ai aussi bien aimé la petite chute à la fin, dans laquelle on retrouve toute l’essence de Colomba qui, en plus d’être le personnage éponyme, est en réalité le personnage le plus intéressant (et principal) de ce récit.
Je recommande fortement. Une petite histoire d’aventure sympathique à lire, dont la trame se compose de vendetta, de brigands et bandits, d’aventure et de dangers, tout en restant dans un registre sérieux mais humoristique.
Le personnage énigmatique, intrépide et sauvage de Colomba m’a donné envie de suivre l’histoire jusqu’au bout, l’intrigue était vraiment bien construite, et la petite histoire d’amour était la bienvenue (même si mon coeur chavirait plutôt pour une aventure Miss Lydia - Colomba) !
J’ai aussi bien aimé la petite chute à la fin, dans laquelle on retrouve toute l’essence de Colomba qui, en plus d’être le personnage éponyme, est en réalité le personnage le plus intéressant (et principal) de ce récit.
Je recommande fortement. Une petite histoire d’aventure sympathique à lire, dont la trame se compose de vendetta, de brigands et bandits, d’aventure et de dangers, tout en restant dans un registre sérieux mais humoristique.
January 30, 2022
Une lecture courte et agréable, porté par un style sobre et gracieux. L'ambiance (la couleur locale !) se fait sentir, la tension est présente, les personnages sont bien caractérisés, et j'ai à ce sujet été étonné par les personnages féminins (particulièrement Colomba, mais le titre le laissait présager) ; même si les deux femmes gravitent autour d'Orso, elles ont toutes deux une personnalité développée qui leur appartient.
Il est facile de dire que le texte est moderne (et ça pourrait ne pas vouloir dire grand-chose), mais il l'est, au sens où je pense qu'il est très abordable pour un lecteur habituellement repoussé par la littérature du 19e (c'est peut-être pour ça qu'on le fait lire au collège ou au lycée !).
Il est facile de dire que le texte est moderne (et ça pourrait ne pas vouloir dire grand-chose), mais il l'est, au sens où je pense qu'il est très abordable pour un lecteur habituellement repoussé par la littérature du 19e (c'est peut-être pour ça qu'on le fait lire au collège ou au lycée !).
January 13, 2017
Kdo nikdy neslyšel nic o korsické cti, maquis a vendette, historii zbojníků, bude mu knížka připadat jako romantická slatanina, western křížený s červenou knihovnou.
Kdo ale aspoň jednou viděl zelené hory a pichlavé keříky, ceduli, na které je prostřílený francouzský název, pro toho je Colomba uvěřitelná, uhrančivá... Ano, je hodně vidět, že je to kniha z půlky 19.stol, ale i to jí přidává na romantismu časů dávno minulých, začínající belle epoque, do které patří i správně sladký závěr. Stačí přetáhnout přes hlavu pilone a vejít do kraje, kde platí pravidlo tří S.
Kdo ale aspoň jednou viděl zelené hory a pichlavé keříky, ceduli, na které je prostřílený francouzský název, pro toho je Colomba uvěřitelná, uhrančivá... Ano, je hodně vidět, že je to kniha z půlky 19.stol, ale i to jí přidává na romantismu časů dávno minulých, začínající belle epoque, do které patří i správně sladký závěr. Stačí přetáhnout přes hlavu pilone a vejít do kraje, kde platí pravidlo tří S.
January 16, 2012
Classic read... Easy, simple, short, but still adventurous and romantic. This is the first book from Prosper Mérimée that I've read, and I really liked it. I learned a lot about the island of Corsica, and most of all about Corsican vendetta. Story of courageous Colomba, and her struggle to avenge the death of her father. Nicely written, my recommendations...
March 1, 2019
A fairly enjoyable revenge tale, but nothing too great or memorable. It lacked the fire and flair of Mérimée's
Carmen
and had an ending predictable from the opening chapters. Even so, it was a well-told story of Corsican vengeance, outlaws, and love, which always makes for an enjoyable read.
May 11, 2012
Korzika, krvna osveta i jedna ljubav..
October 6, 2012
We've been to corsica this summer - reading colomba now was just perfect.
January 6, 2013
First time reading this wonderful French author. Insightful and eloquent. A good read.
October 13, 2016
Otra "Carmen", esta vez en Córcega. Tipismo, tradiciones, pasiones, venganza... y una mujer de extraordinario carácter.
January 11, 2020
This book is requisite reading at school in France – at least it was in my time! – but for some reason, I had never opened it. I knew about it: it is one of those titles from the XIX century whose reputation is inescapable. But, maybe, knowing what it was about – a vendetta in the brutal world of Corsica – made me feel like I didn’t need to read it. Well, the past holidays were a perfect occasion to finally dive into Mérimée’s famed novel, as the book was right there, waiting for me, on the shelves, and in a beautiful old edition on top of that. It’s actually quite a gripping story, cleverly written, in a dynamic and rather modern way, and not devoid of a certain sense of humor (making a welcome balance with the more dramatic aspects of the plot). "Colomba" is, indeed, a story of inevitable revenge between the two ruling families of a Corsican village: it all can seem, today, rather cliché, but I could understand why it may have seemed immensely fresh at the time, when it was first published, and why it became such a sensation. Wha surprised me is that it truly is, in fact, the equivalent of a French western. So, in a way, Mérimée seems to have invented many of the devices later used in countless American westerns! The love story and the way the suspense is delivered are not very original, but they work fine, and they certainly keep the reader’s attention till the very end. Mostly, Mérimée – who spent time on the island – writes with a great sense of details. The psychology of his characters is intriguing, and he is truly inspired by the landscape and the traditions of Corsica, that he has obviously studied at length. There is a kind of simplicity, to the story, that may come across as a bit naïve, today, but there’s also a form of sincerity and ferocity to it that give the narration strength and an almost cinematic efficiency. The story, apparently, was inspired by a true incident. The mechanism of the whole vendetta culture is fascinating, and Mérimée writes about it intelligently, and not without empathy. "Colomba" may be old-fashioned storytelling, to some degree, but it remains a charming, compelling read
November 11, 2020
Après une longue retraite... j'y suis enfin
Orso , homicide , Colomba, corse, coutume, beauté, rébellion, amitié.... Ect
Prospère Mérimée nous mène avec lui en route pour la Corse de son ère...
ORSO ANTONIO DELLA REBBIA lieutenant de l'armée française fils du colonel assassiné en Corse par les Bariccini fera la connaissance d'une jeune Miss Lydia fille unique du colonel Nevil.
cette dernière accoutumée aux voyages et à l'euphorie romanesques , fuine dans son passé douleureux à la recherche d'un plaisir qui pourrait assouvir sa curiosité sur cette Corse étrangère dont elle aimerait tant connaître..
les deux personnages prendront deux routes différenttes, mais le destin finira par les réunir dans d'autre circonstances...
orso une fois arrivé à son village natale fera la rencontre de sa sœur Colomba toujours outragée par la mort de son père, veilla à que son frère prenne la VENDETTA "La vengeance " sous l'ordre de son instinct corse ..
colomba est le personnage principale de cette œuvre décrite a l'image de la Corse vu par l'esprit de Prosper
cette jeune Corse belle et rebelle qui m'as profondément marqué par la bonté de son cœur,et plus souvent par la malice de ses acts et sa personnalité, toujours fidèle à sa terre, à son origine , quelque soit la cruauté de son engagement, j'ai pris un bon plaisir à vivre cette aventure avec elle qui m'a fait oublié la mort, l'assassinat par son caractère et la relation qu'elle avait avec les gens de son entourage particulièrement son Frère.
"Pour colomba un Bandit n'est jamais voleur"
l'éloquence est au rendez-vous, la plume de Mérimée me satisfait toujours, je savoure ses mots assaisonnés avec netteté et simplicité, des mots en fil légé qu'on oublie le temps à les recevoir.
la vie Corse loin de ses malheurs, m'as donné envie de visiter l'Aures, les monts et les plaines de mon pays ,la kabylie Montagneuse, de part de cette similitudes des traditions et de ce caractère bien propre aux femmes à Mezzaro
Orso , homicide , Colomba, corse, coutume, beauté, rébellion, amitié.... Ect
Prospère Mérimée nous mène avec lui en route pour la Corse de son ère...
ORSO ANTONIO DELLA REBBIA lieutenant de l'armée française fils du colonel assassiné en Corse par les Bariccini fera la connaissance d'une jeune Miss Lydia fille unique du colonel Nevil.
cette dernière accoutumée aux voyages et à l'euphorie romanesques , fuine dans son passé douleureux à la recherche d'un plaisir qui pourrait assouvir sa curiosité sur cette Corse étrangère dont elle aimerait tant connaître..
les deux personnages prendront deux routes différenttes, mais le destin finira par les réunir dans d'autre circonstances...
orso une fois arrivé à son village natale fera la rencontre de sa sœur Colomba toujours outragée par la mort de son père, veilla à que son frère prenne la VENDETTA "La vengeance " sous l'ordre de son instinct corse ..
colomba est le personnage principale de cette œuvre décrite a l'image de la Corse vu par l'esprit de Prosper
cette jeune Corse belle et rebelle qui m'as profondément marqué par la bonté de son cœur,et plus souvent par la malice de ses acts et sa personnalité, toujours fidèle à sa terre, à son origine , quelque soit la cruauté de son engagement, j'ai pris un bon plaisir à vivre cette aventure avec elle qui m'a fait oublié la mort, l'assassinat par son caractère et la relation qu'elle avait avec les gens de son entourage particulièrement son Frère.
"Pour colomba un Bandit n'est jamais voleur"
l'éloquence est au rendez-vous, la plume de Mérimée me satisfait toujours, je savoure ses mots assaisonnés avec netteté et simplicité, des mots en fil légé qu'on oublie le temps à les recevoir.
la vie Corse loin de ses malheurs, m'as donné envie de visiter l'Aures, les monts et les plaines de mon pays ,la kabylie Montagneuse, de part de cette similitudes des traditions et de ce caractère bien propre aux femmes à Mezzaro
Displaying 1 - 29 of 72 reviews