Let's set the stage. La vraye suitte du Cid is a direct sequel to Pierre Corneille's smash-hit 1637 play, Le Cid. Desfontaines picks up right where Corneille left off: the legendary warrior Rodrigo (El Cid) has just married Chimène, the woman whose father he killed in a duel. Their union was forced by the king to end a feud, not born from love.

The Story

The play opens on the morning after the wedding. There's no happy-ever-after here. Chimène is torn between her duty as a new wife and her grief for her father. Rodrigo is caught between his love for Chimène and his role as the kingdom's protector. When a new military threat emerges, the king orders Rodrigo back to war. This throws everything into chaos. Can Chimène bear to see her husband leave, possibly to die? Can Rodrigo focus on battle with his marriage in ruins? The drama plays out in tense conversations, royal decrees, and the heavy weight of unresolved history.

Why You Should Read It

This is a fascinating look at what comes after the "big moment." Desfontaines ignores the easy ending and digs into the emotional hangover. The characters feel more human here—exhausted, conflicted, and stuck in a situation they didn't fully choose. It's less about heroic deeds and more about the price of those deeds. Reading it feels like getting the behind-the-scenes drama of a famous legend.

Final Verdict

Perfect for anyone who loves classic theater but wonders about the untold stories. If you enjoyed the moral complexity of Le Cid, this sequel is a must-read. It's also great for fans of historical fiction that focuses on personal conflict over sweeping action. Fair warning: it's a 17th-century play, so the language is formal, but the emotions are strikingly modern. You'll find yourself arguing about whether Rodrigo or Chimène is right.