The story chronicles Georges Duroy's corrupt rise to power from a poor ex-NCO to one of the most successful men in Paris, most of which he achieves by manipulating a series of powerful, intelligent, and wealthy mistresses.
The book is scheduled to be an up film starring Robert Pattinson and Uma Thurman. The film is directed by Declan Donnellan and Nick Ormerod. It is slated for release in 2011.