P.E.’s Reviews > The Devil in Montmartre: A Mystery in Fin de Siècle Paris > Status Update

'The spirit of the Exposition was so hopeful, so forward-looking. We've made such remarkable progress in science and industry, but I wonder if we'll ever change for the better as human beings?'

'No more than an hour by train from central Paris, the place attracts many visitors, including painters inspired by the history, medieval architecture, ancient ruins, and scenic environs. Many artists have captured a vision of the ancient fortifications, church, monastery, and stone bridge, white walls, shining towers, slate roofs, and spires rising against the background of a cloud-stippled cerulean sky. [...]

'An intense white beam streamed down from an arc light situated high up in the rafters. Standing far below within the lamp's gleaming aura, the ringmaster, a tall, stout man tricked out in white tie and tailcoat, and sporting an enormous handlebar moustache, snapped his whip with authority. A large white horse trotted [...], its canter accompanied by a brass band playing a sprightly galop.'

'Upon entering [the Morgue], a visitor could look up and read the noble sentiments of The Republic: "Liberty! Equality! Fraternity!" Some might ponder a grim truth implicit in the revolutionary motto, for in this place the dead barons, bourgeoisie and beggars were liberated from class distinctions and thus equal in fact rather than theory.'

'Lautrec abandoned Le Chat Noir in the early morning hours. He ventured into the rabbit's warren of dark, narrow streets snaking up the hill. His button-hook tapping the cobblestones, the artist limped painfully up a murky, echoing brick cavern roofed over by a cloudy, moonless sky. [...] Gaslamps glowed, their feeble yellow flames lighting his way toward his favorite whorehouse.'