This book examines the historical religious and literary forces which helped to create French
melodrama a dramatic genre which developed into the most popular entertainment of the
nineteenth century in Europe as well as in America. Emphasizing the work of Guilbert de
Pixerécourt (1773-1884) the book includes a biography of this tireless playwright director
whose life was often as colorful as the plays he was producing. It also contains charming new
translations of two of his most popular melodramas: Coelina ou l'enfant du mystère and Le chien
de Montargis ou la forêt de Bondy.
