3 Review(s)

The novel is set in The Hague, Netherlands, during the late 19th century and follows the life of the title character, Eline Vere, a young woman from a wealthy bourgeois family. Eline is depicted as sensitive, introspective, and prone to melancholy. Dissatisfied with her life and searching for meaning, she becomes increasingly disillusioned with the superficiality and constraints of bourgeois society.As the story unfolds, Eline navigates the complexities of love, friendship, and social expectations. She becomes involved in various romantic entanglements, but struggles to find genuine fulfillment in her relationships. Eline's inner turmoil and existential crisis are exacerbated by her fragile mental and emotional state, leading to her eventual downfall.Through Eline's experiences, Couperus explores themes of ennui, alienation, and the quest for authenticity in a society governed by appearances and social conventions. The novel offers a penetrating critique of the hypocrisies and limitations of bourgeois life, as well as the toll that societal pressures can take on individual freedom and happiness.Couperus's prose in "Eline Vere" is characterized by its richly detailed descriptions, psychological depth, and keen observation of human behavior. He masterfully captures the nuances of Eline's inner life, as well as the social milieu in which she moves, creating a vivid portrait of a woman struggling to find her place in the world.