"Venus of Ilyu" is a fascinating novel by the famous French writer Prosper Merimet. The main character, Antoine de Peren, encounters a mysterious statue of Venus while traveling to the town of Illes in Southern France. However, this acquaintance turns out to be fatal when the statue begins to reveal its true power and influence on events that destroy the usual peaceful life of Antoine. The book "Venus of Ilyu" is a masterpiece of short prose that helps the leading themes of romanticism, realism and mystery to unite in a fascinating story about the power of art and the unpredictability of fate.