Colas Breugnon: A Burgundian Story

"Colas Breugnon" is a charming romance of life in Burgundy three hundred years ago. It is an "autobiographical" novel, the story being told in the first person by Colas, who reviews his fifty years of life, and describes all its joys and sorrows. The story is gay and humorous, and full of wise observations about life. Colas Breugnon is the jovial Burgundian, the lusty wood-carver, the practical joker always fond of his glass. Before everything, Colas is a free man. He loves his king, but only so long as the king leaves him his liberty; he loves his wife, but follows his own bent; he is on excellent terms with the priest of a neighboring parish, but never goes to church. He is friendly with all, but subject to none.