Paita by Anatole France

"Paita" by Anatole France is a satirical novel likely written in the late 19th century. It presents a whimsical exploration of the nature of happiness, focusing on characters like King Kristoffer V, who struggles with his own sense of fulfillment amid royal duties and societal expectations. The narrative blends humor with philosophical reflections, discussing the elusive concept of happiness as it relates to different social classes. The opening of "Paita" sets the stage by introducing King Kristoffer V and his dissatisfaction with life despite his wealth and power. As he grapples with health issues, his physicians fail to provide relief, leading him to consider unconventional remedies. Encouraged by his advisor, he seeks the "shirt of a happy man" as a cure, prompting a comedic quest through the royal court and beyond, with advisors and courtiers exploring various characters to find someone who truly embodies happiness. This whimsical pursuit captures both the absurdity of the King's plight and the broader commentary on human contentment. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

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About this eBook

Author France, Anatole, 1844-1924
Translator Onerva, L., 1882-1972
Uniform Title La chemise. Finnish
Title Paita
Original Publication Hämeenlinnassa: Arvi A. Karisto, 1915.
Credits Juhani Kärkkäinen and Tapio Riikonen
Reading Level Reading ease score: 30.1 (College-level). Difficult to read.
Language Finnish
LoC Class PQ: Language and Literatures: Romance literatures: French, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese
Subject Allegories
Subject Happiness -- Fiction
Category Text
eBook-No. 73202
Release Date
Copyright Public domain in the USA.
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