The novel centers on the tragic love story between a young, bourgeois protagonist and a beautiful Parisian courtesan suffering from tuberculosis. Despite her profession, the courtesan is characterized by a noble and loving heart, which leads her to genuinely fall in love with the protagonist. Their passionate affair is marred by societal pressures, financial difficulties, and her declining health. As they navigate the complexities of their relationship, the courtesan must make a self-sacrificial decision to ensure the well-being of her lover, ultimately leading to a poignant and heartbreaking conclusion.

The 1748th greatest book of all time