About the book: 1978 / Prosper Merimee (1803-1870) began his literary career with poetic and dramatic works. Based on extensive historical material, the writer created the novel “Chronicle of the Reign of Charles IX,” dedicated to the tragic episodes of the era of religious wars of the 16th century. But Merimee's short stories gained the most popularity. A gallery of bright, original, immortal images was created by the writer, and proof of this is the short story “Carmen”, which became the basis for numerous ballet, opera, theater productions and film adaptations.