ADOLPHE | I EDIZ. STS 1985 | BENJAMIN CONSTANT | O. DEL BUONO

Adolphe is a novel by Benjamin Constant that delves deeply into the psychology of a young man caught between passion, social ambition, and existential malaise. The protagonist, Adolphe, engages in a romantic affair with Ellénore, a woman who is being courted by others, while simultaneously feeling trapped by social expectations and his own indecision. Themes of love, freedom, regret, internal conflict, and alienation are central. Constant’s style is introspective and elegant, interweaving moments of emotional intensity with philosophical reflection. This edition, translated by Oreste del Buono, preserves the psychological subtlety and moral ambivalence of the original. The novel remains significant for its exploration of modern identity, the dichotomies between self-interest and moral duty, and the costs of maintaining illusions in personal relationships.