| Genres: | FR Contes |
| Authors: | Jean Lorrain |
| Language: | french |
| Type: | Standard |
Jean Lorrain's La Mandragore is a dark and disturbing tale that delves into the depths of maternal obsession and the grotesque.
The story revolves around Queen Godelive, who after giving birth to a legitimate heir, Prince Rotterick, unexpectedly delivers a monstrous creature: a frog. This horrifying event leads to her banishment from the kingdom.
Consumed by a twisted maternal love, Godelive becomes haunted by dreams of her frog-like offspring. In a desperate attempt to replace the lost child, she resorts to cultivating a mandrake root, a plant believed to possess magical and human-like qualities.
As the mandrake grows, it gradually takes on the shape of a child, becoming a grotesque substitute for the queen's rejected offspring. The narrative is filled with eerie imagery and psychological tension, exploring the blurred lines between maternal love, monstrosity, and the supernatural.
La Mandragore is a chilling exploration of the human psyche, characterized by Lorrain's signature blend of the grotesque and the sublime.
