Princess Napraxine, Volume 1 (of 3)

"Princess Napraxine, Volume 1" by Ouida is a novel written in the late 19th century. The story revolves around Princess Nadège Napraxine, a glamorous and beautiful young woman navigating the complexities of high society, wealth, and personal discontent on the French Riviera. The narrative showcases her sharp wit and dissatisfaction with her life, even as she acquires a luxurious villa, La Jacquemerille, which she initially finds unappealing. At the start of the book, we are introduced to La Jacquemerille and its surroundings through Princess Napraxine's eyes as she critiques the villa's architecture and her feelings of disappointment upon seeing it in person. Accompanied by Lady Brancepeth and her husband Prince Napraxine, she expresses her disdain toward the house and her general dissatisfaction with their social environment. The opening chapters also explore her interactions with various characters, including the charming Lord Geraldine and the enigmatic Count Othmar, highlighting themes of social dynamics, egoism, and the allure of wealth amidst existential ennui. Through Nadège’s cynicism and keen observations, the story sets the stage for deeper explorations into the lives of its characters as they confront their desires, relationships, and the constraints of their world. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Maria Louise Ramé, going by the name Marie Louise de la Ramée and known by the pseudonym Ouida, was an English novelist. Ouida wrote more than 40 novels, as well as short stories, children's books and essays. Moderately successful, she lived a life of luxury, entertaining many of the literary figures of the day.