“There is no friend as loyal as a book.”

This article is devoted to Stendhal’s The Red and the Black, one of the key works of French classical literature. It offers an introductory analysis of the novel, a concise overview of the plot, an examination of the main characters and key scenes, and an explanation of why Julien Sorel’s story remains relevant today. The text explores the novel’s psychological depth and social context without relying on retellings or clichés.