Abstract: Perhaps Nerval’s “Histoire de la reine du Matin et de Soliman, prince des genies” was the closest he ever came to the political reality of his time. Taken from the Bible and featuring Suleiman, King of Israel, Adoniram, architect of the Temple, and Queen Balkis, this story is far removed from the period following the 1848 revolution. A highly skilful narrative device enables the writer to be as critical as possible of the events of his time, without being censored.
