- English
- ePUB (mobile friendly)
- Available on iOS & Android
eBook - ePub
About this book
The Widow Lerouge is a foundational work of detective fiction, combining melodramatic intrigue with a rigorously unfolding inquiry into murder, inheritance, and concealed identity. First published in 1866, the novel introduces the elderly amateur investigator Père Tabaret and the young officer Lecoq, figures who helped shape the procedures and pleasures of the modern detective story. Gaboriau's style blends feuilleton suspense, social observation, and legal detail, situating crime within the shifting moral landscape of Second Empire France. Émile Gaboriau, trained in journalism and deeply attuned to the sensational energies of the popular press, brought to fiction a reporter's appetite for evidence, motive, and public scandal. Influenced by Eugène Sue, Balzac, and Edgar Allan Poe, he transformed the mystery tale from a puzzle of brilliance into a broader anatomy of society. His familiarity with courts, police methods, and urban rumor enabled him to dramatize detection as both intellectual labor and social excavation. Readers interested in the origins of detective literature will find The Widow Lerouge indispensable. It rewards those who appreciate patient investigation, intricate plotting, and the historical emergence of forensic reasoning in fiction.
This enriched edition has been carefully crafted to add value to your reading experience.
- A succinct Introduction situates the work's timeless appeal and themes.
- The Synopsis outlines the central plot, highlighting key developments without spoiling critical twists.
- A detailed Historical Context immerses you in the era's events and influences that shaped the writing.
- A thorough Analysis dissects symbols, motifs, and character arcs to unearth underlying meanings.
- Reflection questions prompt you to engage personally with the work's messages, connecting them to modern life.
- Hand?picked Memorable Quotes shine a spotlight on moments of literary brilliance.
- Interactive footnotes clarify unusual references, historical allusions, and archaic phrases for an effortless, more informed read.
Information
Subtopic
Crime & Mystery LiteratureIndex
LiteratureTable of contents
- Introduction
- Synopsis
- Historical Context
- The Widow Lerouge
- Analysis
- Reflection
- Memorable Quotes
- Notes
Trusted by 375,005 students
Access to over 1.5 million titles for a fair monthly price.
Study more efficiently using our study tools.
Frequently asked questions
Yes, you can cancel anytime from the Subscription tab in your account settings on the Perlego website. Your subscription will stay active until the end of your current billing period. Learn how to cancel your subscription
No, books cannot be downloaded as external files, such as PDFs, for use outside of Perlego. However, you can download books within the Perlego app for offline reading on mobile or tablet. Learn how to download books offline
Perlego offers two plans: Essential and Complete
- Essential is ideal for learners and professionals who enjoy exploring a wide range of subjects. Access the Essential Library with 800,000+ trusted titles and best-sellers across business, personal growth, and the humanities. Includes unlimited reading time and Standard Read Aloud voice.
- Complete: Perfect for advanced learners and researchers needing full, unrestricted access. Unlock 1.5M+ books across hundreds of subjects, including academic and specialized titles. The Complete Plan also includes advanced features like Premium Read Aloud and Research Assistant.
We are an online textbook subscription service, where you can get access to an entire online library for less than the price of a single book per month. With over 1.5 million books across 990+ topics, we’ve got you covered! Learn about our mission
Look out for the read-aloud symbol on your next book to see if you can listen to it. The read-aloud tool reads text aloud for you, highlighting the text as it is being read. You can pause it, speed it up and slow it down. Learn more about Read Aloud
Yes! You can use the Perlego app on both iOS and Android devices to read anytime, anywhere — even offline. Perfect for commutes or when you’re on the go.
Please note we cannot support devices running on iOS 13 and Android 7 or earlier. Learn more about using the app
Please note we cannot support devices running on iOS 13 and Android 7 or earlier. Learn more about using the app
Yes, you can access The Widow Lerouge (Annotated) by Émile Gaboriau in PDF and/or ePUB format, as well as other popular books in Literature & Crime & Mystery Literature. We have over 1.5 million books available in our catalogue for you to explore.