The Wife of Martin Guerre (1941) by Janet Lewis tells the story of Bertrande de Rols, a noblewoman whose life is upended when a stranger arrives in her village, claiming to be her long-lost husband, Martin Guerre. Based on the true 16th-century case of Arnaud du Tilh, the imposter deceives the entire town for three years, leading Bertrande into a deep moral and emotional dilemma. As she begins to suspect that this new "Martin" may not be her husband, she is torn between loyalty, faith, and the truth. The novel explores themes of identity, deception, love, and betrayal. Ultimately, Bertrande’s decision to reveal the truth in court forces her to confront the consequences of her choices, including the devastating impact on both the imposter and her real husband.
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