Carmen is a novella by Prosper Mérimée, first published in 1845. It tells the story of a young soldier named Don José who falls in love with a beautiful gypsy woman named Carmen. However, their passionate relationship quickly turns sour as Carmen becomes involved with a bullfighter named Escamillo.
Despite Don José's attempts to win her back, Carmen rejects him and their relationship ends in tragedy. The novella explores themes of love, jealousy, and fate, and has been adapted into various operas and films.