The Master Pipers

by George Sand, Rosemary Lloyd (Translator)

The Master Pipers (1852) is a love story set in the contrasting landscapes of the Berry and Bourbonnais regions in central France. Sand's brilliant exploration of the developing relationships of two sets of lovers underlines her belief that women should be treated as equals to their partners
in marriage.
Written in the aftermath of the failed revolution of 1848, the novel's political and social message, though underplayed, is only by combining what is best in French peasant stock with a code of non-violence will there be any possibility of the profound social change for which Sand yearned.
This new translation captures the freshness and variety of Sand's style, while the notes and maps give clear guidance on the historical, geographical, and biographical background to the novel.

Genres: Classics, Fiction, 19th Century, France, French Literature, Novels

356 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1852

About the author

Amantine Lucile Aurore Dupin de Francueil, best known by her pen name George Sand, was a French novelist, memoirist and journalist. One of the most popular writers in Europe in her lifetime, being more renowned than either Victor Hugo or Honoré de Balzac in England in the 1830s and 1840s, Sand is recognised as one of the most notable writers of the European Romantic era. She wrote more than 50 volumes of various works to her credit, including tales, plays and political texts, alongside her 70 novels.
Like her great-grandmother, Louise Dupin, whom she admired, George Sand advocated for women's rights and passion, criticized the institution of marriage, and fought against the prejudices of a conservative society. She was considered scandalous because of her turbulent love life, her adoption of masculine clothing, and her masculine pseudonym.

Reviews

[Helynne · Rating 4 out of 5]

More than perhaps any other of Sand’s many novels, this one written a little later in her career gives the most realistic portrait of everyday life in the Berry countryside of the mid-19th century. Even more than her trio of pastoral novels (La Mare au Diable, La Petite Fadette and François le Champi), Sand delves into the daily routines, foibles, and disappointments of the simple country folk whom she knew so well at her estate at Nohant. Unfortunately, in my opinion, this is also the least compelling and appealing of all the Sand novels I have read. I just found the characters flat and their various frustrations, jealousies, etc., uninteresting. Nevertheless, this novel still gets a lot of praise from Sand fans and literary critics, and merits an entire chapter in the 1995 book Romantic Visions: The Novels of George Sand (1995) by Robert Godwin-Jones who praises its regional and historical authenticity. Jones also likes Sand’s emphasis on family, nature, religion, and music, which marks her post-1848 departure from the social protests in her earlier fiction. Yes, Sand does meticulously describe the region down to the tiniest villages, forests, ponds, etc., Brulette is a pretty peasant girl loved by several young men in the area. Her cousin Etienne reluctantly accepts that she has no romantic feelings for him. Lifelong friend Josèph also loves Brulette, but feels unworthy of her. But then, he has another interest—learning to play and perform on the bagpipes. (No, pipes are not just Scottish. The instrument has a long Celtic tradition in western France). And the mule driver Huriel has captured her interest. Then a baby shows up quite literally on Brulette’s doorstep. How might this change her future? Probably the most admirable part of the story is that Brulette is spunky enough to believe in herself and in the idea that partners in marriage should be equal. Except for one bizarre and unexpected tragedy in the narrative, this is a nice little slice of Sand in which almost all eventually goes well—sweet and a bit bland.

[Laura Edwards · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of her best novels. The story just swept me up.

Quite an interesting look at the customs of French peasantry, such as a license was needed to play music. Unthinkable today. I wonder if Joseph's selfish devotion to his music mirrored Sand's feelings in regard to Chopin, the great love of her life. Hard to say because from what I've read, Chopin was devoted to her. But I'd also imagine he was even more devoted to his music.

Again, Sand creates strong female characters (Brulette, Therence and even Mariton) who follow their own minds despite social conventions of the time.

[Steve Gordon]

A good book to read while listening to some Robert Johnson - selling your soul to the devil for musical mastery. Once again, Sand's socialist and feminist thought bleed through a sometimes meandering story to create a story worth reading. I even enjoyed the early "environmentalism" of the old woodsmen wanting to give up cutting down trees so that he could live at peace with them under their shade. Groovy.

[Maryellen · Rating 4 out of 5]

hard to put down in a way i have never found with lit of this era. get the edition with the updated language

[Ce · Rating 5 out of 5]

another great story where description plays an important role of the kind of society from those years...not much has changed actually.

[Tom Newth · Rating 2 out of 5]

rather underwhelming - psychological and rural bizarrity under-exploited; limp narrator.

[Catherine Mickus-beziat · Rating 4 out of 5]

J'ai enregistré un livre sur BookCrossing.com !
http://www.BookCrossing.com/journal/13087853

[Gabrielle Dubois · Rating 5 out of 5]

Les Maîtres sonneurs est un roman historique ― qui se passe à la fin du 18ème siècle ―, publié en 1853 d'abord en feuilleton dans le journal Le Constitutionnel. Il se passe entre Berry et Bourbonnais (l’Indre et l'Allier). Il raconte la vie des «cornemuseux», des paysans et des muletiers.
Le narrateur Étienne raconte son adolescence jusqu’à sa vie d’adulte en 32 veillées. Il aime sa cousine Brulette et leur meilleur et étrange ami Joseph. Un autre personnage apparaîtra, Uriel inquiétant muletier et cornemuseux et son père, maître Uriel, bûcheux, qui vivent dans la forêt. Maître Uriel, figure de patriarche sage et bon, apprendra à l’un des personnages à «musiquer».
Le grand maître ici, est évidemment George Sand. On découvre tout un monde rural, différentes façons de vivre, des métiers et des corporations dont on a pas idée. On est tenu de bout en bout par une, non, des histoires d’amour, pleines de rebondissements. À chaque fois, on se dit, voilà, c’est la fin de l’histoire, celui-ci va épouser celle-là. Et puis non! Maître Sand tire les ficelles avec un art sans pareil, un langage savoureux. Les personnages évoluent, mûrissent, changent, se découvrent, tout ce que j’aime. Je me suis régalée!

[Sandryne David · Rating 4 out of 5]

livre audio - J'ai bien aimé cette lecture dont le décors m'a un peu fait penser à Anne et la maison au pignon vert. Le personnage principal, bien qu'il soit un observateur pour la plus part du récit est assez sympathique et les divers personnages ont tous une personnalité assez distincte et sont plutôt attachant (bien que Terrence tombe vite dans le cliché de la jeune fille parfaite de son époque). L'opposition entre les gens du Berry et du Bourbonnais était intéressante (bien que l'autrice semble avoir un fort partis pris pour les derniers) et la relation entre les 5 personnages principaux avait suffisamment de tension pour être divertissante. La fin m'a semblé un peu abrupte (est-ce que mon édition a omit l'épilogue?) et on ne revient pas sur le format histoire dans une histoire qui était présente au début du livre, ce qui m'a sembler étrange.

[Albusso · Rating 5 out of 5]

Une belle fresque humaine peinte par George Sand. Si la musique y a une place importante comme le nom de l'ouvrage le suggère, c'est avant tout un roman où les sentiments et même la psychologie des personnages sont mis en avant. Ces derniers sont des paysans, des fendeurs, des muletiers ou encore des ménétriers et le récit développe la beauté de ce monde-ci dans les années 1770, entre Berry, Bourbonnais et Combrailles. La musique y devient obsédante pour certains personnages au point de les rendre fou. A l'amitié succède l'amour ou la haine, puis enfin, le pardon. Un beau récit émouvant. Pour paraphraser une des dernières phrases, "la vie est un mélange de tristesse et de contentement".

[Pauline · Rating 5 out of 5]

La belle Brulette. Le berrichon Tiennet, son cœur franc et son noyau de terre. Le bourbonnais Huriel, son clairin et son museau encharbonné. Son père, le grand bucheux reçu Maître sonneur en son pays. Le mode majeur et le mode mineur. La farouche Therence. Et Joset et sa musette. Les muletiers des forêts à la rencontre des paysans des campagnes. Les bals ou Brulette danse la bourrée. Les noces du Chassin. Les grottes sous le château ou l’on ne craint que le diable. La musique endiablée des musettes.

Un roman champêtre d’initiation et de rites, un des rares où le mariage est si joliement présenté. Une campagne pleine de secrets et de chansons.

[Marion · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ce roman décrit la vie des joueurs de cornemuse du Berry et du Bourbonnais. La description des régions et de la nature permet au lecteur de voyager à travers les yeux de George Sand. Ouvrage divertissant, même si les intrigues amoureuses décrites dans le livre ne sont pas très passionnantes.

[Matt Vigneau · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another of Sand's pastoral novels; evoking the imagery of French peasant county-life. Romantic, charming, and allegorical; Sand's web of characters all develop in unexpected ways. The novel reads slowly, and would be recommended most for ardent George Sand enthusiasts.

[Jane Van Hof · Rating 5 out of 5]

A pastorale novel about lovers in the French countryside who make a living as bagpipers or mule-herders. What could be better? Music as a mistress, life in the forest, jealousy in love, and a critique of marriage, family, and motherhood; an excellent read.

[Anita · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think one of the most interesting aspects of this novel is the ways in which the romantic relationships also explore issues of gender, which of course makes sense since George Sand was a precedent for feminism in 19th century France.

[Victoria · Rating 2 out of 5]

Un roman beaucoup trop long, mais avec des personnages attachants.

[Jim Jones · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not one of Sand's best novels--overly long mainly, but she manages to weave in some fascinating cultural history about the region of Berry, local superstition, and attitudes toward musicians in the early 19th cent.