検索キーワード： 著者 ""Honoré de Balzac"" すべてのカテゴリー

In “The Duchess of Langeais” (1834), part of Balzac’s monumental series “The Human Comedy,” we are transported to post-Napoleonic Paris during the restoration of the Bourbon monarchy. Balzac critiques the aristocracy for squandering its opportunity to provide leadership and stability, instead indulging in a life of entitlement and superficiality within the confines of elegant salons. The novel unfolds a tumultuous love affair, hindered by the obsessive manipulations of its two main characters the duchess, a pampered product of civilization, and a military hero who, despite his ...

In the gripping short novel “Colonel Chabert” (1832), part of Balzac’s monumental series “The Human Comedy,” we are drawn into the tumultuous aftermath of the Napoleonic Wars. Colonel Chabert, a valiant officer, is declared dead after a fierce battle, leading his wife to inherit his fortune and remarry. However, when Chabert miraculously survives and returns to Paris, he is faced with the daunting challenge of reclaiming his life and legacy. This poignant tale explores the clash between the enduring values of honor and integrity and the ruthless greed that pervades society in the ...

Father Goriot (Le Père Goriot), published in 1835, stands as one of Balzacs most celebrated and impactful novels. Set against the tumultuous backdrop of Paris in 1819, following Napoleons defeat and the restoration of the Bourbon monarchy, the story captures a society in flux, where the emerging bourgeoisie vie for status alongside the traditional aristocracy. At the heart of this narrative are Goriot, an aging father who obsessively lavishes love on his daughters; Vautrin, a mysterious criminal mastermind with his own agenda; and Rastignac, a determined young man from the provinces eager to ...

Step into the enchanting world of Balzac’s early work, At the Sign of the Cat and Racket, first published in 1830 and later refined. The title, which translates to La Maison du Chat-qui-pelote, refers to a whimsical sign above a Parisian fabric shop where a cartoon cat plays racquetball. The shop is run by a family steeped in the narrow confines of bourgeois propriety, their lives upended by the arrival of a gifted young artist from an aristocratic background who charms their daughter. This beautifully woven tale captures the complexities of domestic life and the tensions that arise when ...

Step into the world of Cousin Betty (La Cousine Bette), one of Balzacs final masterpieces, first unveiled in serial form in 1846. This captivating tale, part of his extensive collection La Comédie Humaine, unfolds in mid-19th-century France, where a woman grapples with her status as a poor relation. As we delve into her cunning schemes aimed at dismantling the lives of her more affluent family members, we witness a society grappling with change. The old orders stability and idealism crumbles, making way for a new bourgeois reality where virtue is often sacrificed in the relentless pursuit of ...

Dive into the world of Gobseck, a captivating installment in Balzacs La Comédie Humaine and a follow-up to the renowned Father Goriot. This short novel centers around the enigmatic pawnbroker and moneylender Gobseck, who played a critical role in sustaining the lavish lifestyles of Goriots pampered daughters. As we reconnect with one of these daughters, Mme Restaud, prepare for a rich exploration of ambition, greed, and the intricacies of human relationships. (Summary by JCarson)

Delve into the intriguing world of Balzacs Magic Skin, a captivating novel that echoes the themes of Dorian Gray within the framework of Comedies Humane Philosophique. This work not only marked Balzacs debut success but also showcases his unique promotional approach, where he penned criticisms of his own writing to generate excitement before its release. A sharp critique of materialism and the French bourgeoisie, this novel invites readers to explore recurring characters that appear throughout his body of work. Join us as we unravel the complexities of human desire and societal values in this ...

Scenes from a Courtesans Life stands as one of Balzacs final masterpieces within his monumental series, The Human Comedy. Published in various segments between 1838 and 1847, it ultimately coalesces into four distinct sections found in this edition. The original French title, Splendeurs et misères des courtesanes, translates literally to Splendors and Miseries of Courtesans, and has also been rendered as A Harlot High and Low. The narrative picks up where Lost Illusions (1843) leaves off, following the ambitious yet morally conflicted poet Lucien de Rubempré (born Lucien Chardon) as he ...

La Grande Bretèche serves as a captivating addendum to Balzacs Another Study of Woman, concluding a series of intriguing stories shared around a dinner table. This particular tale, unveiled to the guests in the early hours of the morning, delves into themes of marital infidelity and revenge, leaving some listeners with restless minds long after the night is over. (Nicholas Clifford)

Dive into Balzacs Cousin Pons, a poignant tale that stands as one of the final masterpieces in his sweeping series, The Human Comedy. First published in 1847 alongside its companion novel Cousin Betty, this narrative contrasts the vengeful pursuits of a bitter woman with the gentle story of Pons, a timid and innocent man who finds himself at the mercy of his more affluent relatives. Through richly crafted character studies and a powerful critique of greed and materialism, Balzac paints a vivid picture of mid-19th-century French society. Renowned as one of the eras greatest novelists, his ...

Immerse yourself in the world of Two Poets (1837), the opening installment of Balzac’s captivating Lost Illusions trilogy, which is intricately woven into his monumental work, La Comédie Humaine. Set against the backdrop of post-Napoleonic France, the narrative explores the tumultuous clash between the newly emerging bourgeoisie and the fading old aristocracy. We follow Lucien Chardon, an idealistic young man yearning to be a poet, alongside his steadfast friend David Séchard, who is caught between managing his father’s printing business and his deep affection for Lucien’s sister, Ève...

Why would a man of impeccable reputation step into a house notorious for its vices? A young officer embarks on a quest to unveil the secrets of the woman he loves, only to find himself entangled in a tragic unfolding. This gripping tale is the first installment in the trilogy The Thirteen. Prepare for a journey filled with unexpected twists and turns! - Summary by Yuqing Cao

Louis Lambert is a thought-provoking novel penned by the renowned French novelist Honoré de Balzac in 1832. Nestled within the Études philosophiques section of his grand sequence, La Comédie humaine, this work predominantly unfolds in a school in Vendôme, diving deep into the life and philosophies of a boy genius captivated by the ideas of Swedish philosopher Emanuel Swedenborg. Written during a summer stay at the Château de Saché, Balzac published three distinct editions under varying titles. While the novel features a minimal plot, it primarily explores the metaphysical musings of its ...

Step into the world of post-Napoleonic France with Ève and David, the concluding volume of Balzac’s celebrated Lost Illusions trilogy, part of his monumental work, La Comédie Humaine. This gripping narrative follows Lucien Chardon, an aspiring poet, as he navigates the challenges of provincial life in the first volume, Two Poets. In the second volume, A Distinguished Provincial at Paris, Lucien, now adopting the more aristocratic name de Rubempré, seeks his fortune amidst the literary elite of Paris, only to face emotional and financial turmoil. In this final installment, we return to ...

Love has many forms, many needs. Some fall into the dark, into the shadows. Forbidden love has connotations of desire, of possession but also of matters far more unsavoury. It’s a delicate facet of love that our classic authors explain with careful words and superbly crafted narratives.

Obra maestra de Balzac, Las ilusiones perdidas cuenta la historia de un joven de provincias con ambiciones artísticas que sueña con triunfar en París. La odisea de Lucien Rubempré desde la inocencia de su Angulema natal hasta el fango del fracaso constituye uno de los periplos narrativos más audaces, embelesadores e imponentes de la narrativa del siglo XIX.

《欧仁妮·葛朗台》以写实的笔墨描写了资产阶级暴发家葛朗台的罪恶手段：控制市场、哄抬物价、大搞公债投机、放高利贷…… 《歐仁妮·葛朗臺》以寫實的筆墨描寫了資產階級暴發家葛朗臺的罪惡手段：控制市場、哄抬物價、大搞公債投機、放高利貸……

Die Familie Grandet lebt in Saumur an der Loire in Frankreich. Grandet, ein alter Böttchermeister, ist durch Spekulationen und Geiz sehr reich geworden...

At the beginning of the story the heroine lives an unfulfilled life in rural France, her nature crushed by a domineering and miserly father. Gallant cousin Charles arrives and acts as a catalyst on Eugénie's personality and emotions. Will her love survive the strong self-opinion of the young man and the selfishness of her father or is Eugénie's reward destined to be in heaven?

This brilliant collection of France’s foremost nineteenth-century novelist and playwright delivers four of his most fascinating works - stories of love, rivalry, horror and adventure - all brought to life by a stellar cast included Stephen Fry and Alex Kingston. A huge influence on many of the most famous writers from Proust to Kerouac to Dickens, Balzac delivers beautifully observed and complex characters with an unsurpassed attention to the details of society at the time, making him an exemplary of realism in European literature.