My Neighbor Raymond (Novels of Paul de Kock Volume XI)

"My Neighbor Raymond" by Paul de Kock is a novel written in the 19th century. The story weaves an entertaining narrative around the interactions between a young man, Dorsan, and the women he encounters in Paris, particularly focusing on his relationship with a charming flower girl named Nicette. The humor and social commentary throughout hint at a deeper exploration of love and virtue in a vibrant yet morally complex Parisian society. At the start of the novel, we meet Dorsan as he strolls through the boulevards, lost in thought about love and destiny. He unexpectedly collides with Nicette, a young flower seller, which leads him on a chase through the streets as he attempts to converse with her. Despite her apparent shyness and resistance, he becomes intrigued by her charm. Later, after a mix of comedic misadventures, including encounters with a cab driver and a rival suitor, Dorsan decides to help Nicette when she finds herself in trouble, leading to a poignant moment where he must confront his intentions and the implications of their newfound companionship. The opening sets the tone for a story rich in romantic escapades filled with both laughter and reflection. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Charles Paul de Kock was a French novelist. Although one of the most popular writers of his day in terms of book sales, he acquired a literary reputation for low-brow output in poor taste. In 2021 Brad Bigelow wrote: "Today, if we set aside over-priced print on demand reprints of his ancient editions, the works of Paul de Kock haven't seen a new English edition in at least a century."