Summary:
The novel is divided into two parts: the first part retraces the journey of Julien Sorel in the provinces, in a small town called Verrières, in Franche-Comté then in Besançon, and more precisely his entry into the de Rênal family, and his passion for Mrs. de Rênal, as well as his stay in a seminary; the second part focuses on the hero's life in Paris as secretary to the Marquis de La Mole, and the passion he has with his daughter, Mathilde.