Two fantastic tales of two wild passionate women (Carmen is Roma, from Andalusia) (Colomba is Corsican).
Carmen has a different narrative from that of the opera. For Carmen, personal freedom is paramount. Risk, superstition and fate dominate her life. Her demise is violent, bloody and brave.
Colomba creates chaos for her brother who returns to Corsica after military service for France. Colomba seethes with vengeance and lives for vendetta. This short novel contrasts the refinement of manners among northern Europeans, with the blood lust and indifference of peasant cultures, something that fascinated Prosper Merimee.