A Story Thrice Told: Variations on the Theme of Bruges-la-Morte

Georges Rodenbach's Bruges-la-Morte (1892), frequently studied for its Symbolist elements, is here presented in a new light. By tracing the production and reception history of the narrative (as feuilleton , novel, and play), this article demonstrates how Rodenbach adapts the central storyline to fit generic conventions and respond to audience expec tations. Studying the tripartite production history demonstrates the multiplicity of readings possible from a single narrative. It also serves as an example of how late nineteenth century authors reworked existing texts for new audiences, and a reminder of the fragility of what is considered the "final" version of a story.