The Crime of Sylvestre Bonnard

"The Crime of Sylvestre Bonnard" by Anatole France is a novel published in 1881. This diary-based story follows an elderly scholar and book collector who pursues a rare manuscript, then encounters the granddaughter of a woman he once loved. When he discovers the young girl suffering under an abusive guardian, Bonnard must decide whether to remain a passive observer or commit what he ironically calls his "crime"—an act that reveals his true character.

The Crime of Sylvestre Bonnard, by Anatole France. Republished by OpenStories from Project Gutenberg eBook #2123.