Devil in the Flesh (Modern Classics)

Devil in the Flesh by Raymond Radiguet is a semi-autobiographical novel published by Penguin Books Ltd on August 26, 1971. This edition spans 160 pages and is presented in English. Set against the backdrop of the First World War’s final year, the narrative explores an illicit love affair between a sixteen-year-old boy and a young woman married to a soldier. Their secret meetings take place in her flat on the outskirts of Paris, as well as in cornfields and along riverbanks, where they share moments of passion and intimacy.

Readers will find a poignant exploration of youthful love and the complexities that arise from it. As the couple grapples with their feelings, they face the consequences of their relationship, which becomes a source of scandal among their friends and neighbors. The story unfolds with a sense of urgency as they burn letters from her husband together, symbolizing their desire to escape reality. This edition also includes an introduction by Fay Weldon, adding further context to Radiguet’s haunting prose and the themes of love and tragedy that permeate the work.