The Village Rector

Set in a French village, the story follows Abbe Francois Birotteau, a beloved rector whose life is disrupted by the arrival of a new prefect, Monsieur de Rastignac. The prefect seeks to undermine Abbe's reputation through deceitful gossip to further his own ambitions. Despite facing distrust and losing local support, Abbe remains committed to his pastoral duties. The novella explores themes of power, corruption, and resilience, ultimately celebrating human virtues like honesty and compassion while critiquing the political landscape of the time.