Published 29 October 2008, doi:10.1136/bmj.a2282
Cite this as: BMJ 2008;337:a2282

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La Bohème

The first 150 words of the full text of this article appear below.

Paris, Christmas Eve. A bohemian trio of philosopher, artist, and writer (Rodolfo) are shivering hungrily in their garret flat, burning the pages of a play to keep warm. They come across some money. The philosopher and artist go off in search of food, drink, and bonhomie. The writer says he will follow. Enter Mimi, a beautiful but consumptive seamstress whose candle has gone out. The writer is immediately smitten and is soon exchanging arias with his lovely but frail neighbour.

Mimi moves in with Rodolfo briefly, but the couple quickly splits. His possessive jealousy is, apparently, incompatible with Mimi’s coquettish behaviour towards other suitors. But all the characters know Mimi’s true motives: she is sick and needs warmth, medicine, and nursing care. And seeing her grow weaker by the day is breaking Rudolfo’s heart. After a heartrending farewell on a freezing snowy night, Mimi takes up with a rich count, . . . [Full text of this article]

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