Ecstasy, A Study of Happiness: A Novel

"Ecstasy: A Study of Happiness" by Louis Couperus is a novel written in the late 19th century. The story revolves around the experiences of the main characters, Dolf Van Attema and Cecile van Even, exploring themes of love, happiness, and the complexities of human emotions in the wake of personal loss and societal expectations. The opening portion introduces Dolf as he visits his sister-in-law Cecile in her intimate boudoir, where their conversation reveals their respective personalities and underlying tensions. Dolf is portrayed as friendly and caring, interested in Cecile's well-being, while Cecile, still in mourning for her late husband, embodies a sense of delicate vulnerability and introspection. As they talk, the atmosphere suggests a depth of unexpressed feelings and the hint of a connection that could lead to more profound entanglements, setting the stage for the exploration of their emotional landscapes and the societal dynamics that influence their lives.