Madame Chrysanthème

Set in late 19th-century Japan, this novel unfolds through the autobiographical journal of a naval officer's brief marriage to a Japanese woman, Kiku. The narrative captures their summer romance in Nagasaki, exploring themes of cultural exchange and the challenges of xenophobia. Originally published in French in 1887, it gained significant popularity, leading to numerous editions and translations. Loti's work offers a poignant glimpse into the complexities of love and identity against a backdrop of historical tensions.