A young man of bourgeois background falls into a consuming, socially transgressive obsession with a celebrated Parisian courtesan, setting off a chain of events that challenges the rigid moral hierarchies of 19th-century France. The protagonist, Armand Duval, seeks to possess the heart of Marguerite Gautier, a woman whose life is defined by the transactional nature of her profession and her declining health. He faces opposition from his own family, who fear the social ruin of such an association, and from the inherent instability of Marguerite's lifestyle. The narrative is presented through a frame story, utilizing a retrospective account that emphasizes the tragic inevitability of the central relationship.

Readers frequently highlight the novel's ability to humanize a character often dismissed by the social standards of the era. Discussion often centers on the tension between the protagonist's genuine affection and the crushing weight of societal expectations. Critics often note the prose's balance between sentimental melodrama and sharp social critique. The work remains a frequent subject of analysis regarding its influence on subsequent adaptations in opera and film. Many readers find the pacing effective in building toward the inevitable conclusion of the central romance.