The four works in this collection are related by their central character, Tribulat Bonhomet. In "The Swan-Killer," the first, Bonhomet the music lover carries out his carefully planned excursion to kill swans to hear their last songs. "The Eventualists' Banquet," the second work, reports an after-dinner speech in which Bonhomet proposes a method for ridding France of revolutionaries. And the "Motion of Dr. Tribulat Bonhomet" sets forth a plan whereby earthquakes are harnessed to rid the world of poets and artists. The last and longest piece, "Claire Lenoir," a novella, recounts Dr. Bonhomet's visit to the Lenoir home. A highly philosophical work, "Claire Lenoir" explores questions of reality, revenge, and survival beyond death, ending with a bizarre murder and a grotesque climax.

Thesis (M.A.)--University of North Carolina at Wilmington, 2004. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 93-96).

Thesis (Ph.D.) - University of St Andrews, November 2009., / Electronic version restricted until 17th November 2014.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Faculté des Lettres de Paris, 1938. / Errata slip inserted. "Catalogue des livres écrits en allemand ou intéressant l'Allemagne possédés par madame de Staël et ses enfants" : p. [565]-579. Includes bibliographical references (p. [601]-624).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Faculté des Lettres de Paris, 1938. / Errata slip inserted. "Catalogue des livres écrits en allemand ou intéressant l'Allemagne possédés par madame de Staël et ses enfants" : p. [565]-579. Includes bibliographical references (p. [601]-624).