Two classic novellas. Two strikingly different visions of fate, ambition, and human vulnerability. Pauline & Murat brings together two powerful early works by Alexandre Dumas , published together in 1838 and presented here in a new modern English translation by Eleanor Montfield . In Pauline , Dumas turns inward, crafting a tense gothic psychological tale inspired by real events. A young woman becomes entangled in a marriage shadowed by secrecy, obsession, and violence, as the line between love and danger slowly dissolves. Atmospheric, intimate, and unsettling, Pauline reveals Dumas at his most restrained and psychologically sharp. In Murat , the tone shifts dramatically. This gripping historical narrative traces the final days of Joachim Murat , Napoléon’s brother-in-law and King of Naples, as he makes his doomed attempt to reclaim power after the fall of the Empire. Written with stark realism and tragic momentum, Murat explores loyalty, betrayal, political downfall, and the brutal machinery of history. Though distinct in style and subject, these two novellas speak to one another through shared themes of fatal choice, personal identity, and the cost of ambition . Together, they showcase Dumas’s range beyond swashbuckling adventure, offering readers a deeper look at his literary and historical imagination. This edition: Presents both novellas together , as originally published by Dumas - Features a faithful, modern English translation - Preserves original tone, structure, and historical context - Is ideal for readers of classic literature, historic fiction, gothic fiction, and French literary works Perfect for fans of Alexandre Dumas , readers of 19th-century literature , and those seeking lesser-known classics with emotional depth and historical resonance.