Cyrano de Bergerac

Fiction | Play | Adult | Published in 1897

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Cyrano de Bergerac

Genre: Fiction; historical drama
Originally Published: 1897
Reading Level/Interest: Grades 9-12; college/adult
Structure/Length: 5 acts; approximately 240 pages; approximately 4 hours, 28 minutes on audiobook
Protagonist/Central Conflict: The play follows Cyrano de Bergerac, a skilled swordsman, poet, and musician known for his large nose. Despite his wit and talents, Cyrano is plagued by self-doubt due to his appearance. He falls in love with his cousin Roxane but believes he can never win her love due to his physical features. When Roxane confesses her love for the handsome but inarticulate Christian, Cyrano agrees to help Christian woo Roxane using his own eloquent words. The central conflict regards Cyrano's internal struggle between his love for Roxane and his self-consciousness about his appearance.
Potential Sensitivity Issues: Duels; mild violence; themes of unrequited love

Edmond Rostand

Bio: Born 1868; French playwright and poet; known for his contributions to the French romantic tradition; most well-known for Cyrano de Bergerac, which became an instant hit and solidified his reputation as a playwright; explores themes of love, honor, and self-perception in his works; demonstrated a flair for poetic language and character development; received the Legion of Honour for his contributions to French literature
Other Works: Les Romanesques (1894); L'Aiglon (1900); Chantecler (1910); La Dernière Nuit de Don Juan (1921)