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Fiction. Short Story. Translated from the French by Anthony
Rudolph. GILLETTE OR THE UNKNOWN MASTERIECE is one of Balzac's most
brilliant and fascinating works, and one of the great short stories
in European literature. It has been widely influential among
painters and writers since its early editions, and speaks to our
own days in unexpected ways. Anthony Rudolf has made the first
complete translation into English in over eighty years. In a long
accompanying essay he discusses the text as a love story, as a
parable of writing told in terms of painting, and as a remarkable
foreshadowing of certain later developments in art, such as the
work of Giacometti. He also discusses the sexual, mythological,
financial and other aspects of this extraordinary multi-layered
text, and vigorously contests the widespread view that Frenhofer is
nothing but a failure and his painting nothing but a disaster. This
reprint marks Balzac's bicentenary and Menard's 30th birthday.
In Balzac's classic study of obsession, a chance meeting changes
Balthazar Claes' life as it introduces him to alchemy and initiates
his quest of the absolute. Throughout, our sympathy is equally
divided between Balthazar's single-minded determination to push
back the frontiers of knowledge, and the ruin of his family. "The
Quest Of The Absolute" Was first published in France in 1834 and
appears in a new edition from Dedalus, translated by Ellen Marriage
and with an afterword and chronology by Christopher Smith.
Honore de Balzac (1799-1850) utilizo la escritura como una
formidable palanca hacia un ascenso social que le era negado. Su
obra, desmesurada e innovadora, recogio el impulso de la naciente
ciencia de su siglo en un esfuerzo titanico por describir y
reflejar la sociedad circundante. El tio Goriot (1835) es una de
sus obras mas celebradas, novela bellisima de trama nocturna,
impregnada de una tristeza omnipresente, cuyo verdadero
protagonista es la ciudad de Paris.
After Vautrin helps Lucien overcome a mental breakdown, the two men
decide to align forces in pursuit of social status and wealth.
Operating under an alias, Vautrin offers to help Lucien redeem
himself and move back to Paris, with the condition that Lucien
follows his orders exactly. Happy to comply, the pair return to the
capital city, living in excess and racking up a debt as they
pretend they can afford this luxurious lifestyle. With a goal of
gaining the attention and love of a wealthy woman, Vautrin helps
Lucien appear to be an eligible and desirable bachelor. However,
his plan is compromised when Lucien instead meets Esther, a
beautiful sex worker. First trying to keep their relationship a
secret from Vautrin, Lucien and Esther share an amorous connection.
However, as the relationship continues, Lucien must choose between
his newfound love, or the shallow charade he and Vautrin have
cultivated. Though, the decision may not be his to make, and as
always, Vautrin always has a plan. With intricate descriptions of
the buildings, culture, and people of Paris, Scenes from a
Courtesan's Life by Honore de Balzac provides invaluable insight to
into the social history of France. This observation of the time
allows readers a rare and unfiltered perspective on the 19th
century Parisian society, particularly on their values and class
distinctions. With themes of morality, romance, and class, Scenes
from a Courtesan's Life explores the dark and unspoken aspects of
society while entertaining with a thrilling storyline and
compelling characters. First published as a serial in four parts in
1838, this Balzac classic is captivating and clever. With surprises
and twists, there is never a dull moment in Scenes from a
Courtesan's Life This edition of Scenes from a Courtesan's Life by
Honore de Balzac features a stunning new cover design and is
presented in a font that is both stylish and readable. With these
accommodations, this edition is accessible and appealing to
contemporary audiences, restoring Scenes from a Courtesan's Life to
modern standards while preserving the intricacy and value of Honore
de Balzac's work.
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Eugenie Grandet (Hardcover)
Honore De Balzac; Contributions by Mint Editions
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R516
R422
Discovery Miles 4 220
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Eugenie Grandet (1833) is a novel by French author Honore de
Balzac. Written as Balzac began to formulate the grand scale of his
La Comedie humaine sequence, Eugenie Grandet was eventually tied
into the universe of his epic realist masterpiece, a holistic
vision of nineteenth-century French society which sought to observe
the consequences of the political, religious, and economic shifts
of the Revolution and in its aftermath. This novel looks to the
moral failings of a particular nouveau riche family, whose
accumulation of wealth has quickly erased any sense of their
working-class origins. After the Revolution, master cooper Felix
Grandet married the daughter of a successful merchant, ascended in
the political and social life of the town of Saumur, and quietly
amassed an immense wealth through industry and inheritances from
his wife's family. Now an old man, Felix possesses a fortune he
feels no inclination to use, not even to improve the daily lives of
his ailing wife and young adult daughter Eugenie, who faces
frequent incursions from local suitors intent on marrying her to
attain her father's wealth. When Felix's nephew Charles arrives
from Paris with a letter from the patriarch's estranged brother
Guillaume, tragic circumstances force him to choose between
habitual greed and the immense pressure of performing what for
anyone else would be a basic act of generosity. Eugenie Grandet is
a powerful story of fortune, power, and the ease with which these
lead to moral failure. Published at the dawning of Balzac's most
productive and critically-acclaimed period, this novel is not only
a good introduction to his lengthy La Comedie humaine sequence, but
an irreplaceable work of nineteenth-century realist literature.
With a beautifully designed cover and professionally typeset
manuscript, this edition of Honore de Balzac's Eugenie Grandet is a
classic of French literature reimagined for modern readers.
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Father Goriot (Hardcover)
Honore De Balzac; Contributions by Mint Editions
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R597
R496
Discovery Miles 4 960
Save R101 (17%)
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Ships in 10 - 15 working days
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Father Goriot (1835) is a novel by French author Honore de Balzac.
An early work in his La Comedie humaine sequence, Father Goriot has
since become one of Balzac's most critically and commercially
successful novels. It contains several characters who appear
throughout his other books and is considered to be the first novel
in which he perfected his hallmark realist style. The novel, set in
Paris, follows Eugene de Rastignac, a young law student who lives
at a boarding house owned by a widow named Madame Vauquer. Her
other residents include Jean-Joachim Goriot, a retired businessman
whose fortune has been spent on his two adult daughters, and
Vautrin, a hardened and mysterious criminal. As Rastignac navigates
urban life, he develops a fascination with high society that soon
turns into an unhealthy obsession with joining the ranks of the
wealthy. Although he falls in love with Goriot's daughter Delphine,
a married woman, Rastignac is pressured by Vautrin to court the
young unmarried Victorine. Proposing they attempt to steal her
family's fortune-for which he offers to have her brother
murdered-Vautrin does his best to corrupt the young and ambitious
Rastignac, who will gradually be forced to choose between a life of
luxury and a life of moral decency. In the background of their
plotting, the story of Father Goriot unfolds, a tragic portrait of
a man who gives everything to his family while wanting nothing more
than their love and respect in return. Father Goriot is a complex
yet effective novel. Criticized for extensive pessimism upon
publication, its reputation for brutal honesty and social realism
have aided its reception in recent years, and it is now considered
one of Balzac's most important works. With a beautifully designed
cover and professionally typeset manuscript, this edition of Honore
de Balzac's Father Goriot is a classic of French literature
reimagined for modern readers.
The text is accompanied by an introduction, textual annotations by
the editor, and a map of Paris. "Responses: Contemporaries and
Other Novelists" illustrates Balzac s immense influence on other
writers, among them Charles Baudelaire, Hippolyte Taine, Emile
Zola, and Marcel Proust. "Twentieth-Century Criticism" presents a
superb selection of critical writing about the novel. The critics
include Ernst Robert Curtius, Albert Beguin, Erich Auerback,
Georges Poulet, Michel Butor, Louis Chevalier, Pierre Barberis,
Peter Brooks, Sandy Petrey, Nicole Mozet, and Janet L. Beizer."
If Honore de Balzac's "Treatise on Elegant Living" addressed one
crucial pillar of modernity--the "mode" itself, fashion--his
"Physiology of the Employee" examines another equally potent
cornerstone to the modern era: bureaucracy, and all of the cogs and
wheels of which it is composed. Long before Franz Kafka described
the nightmarish metaphysics of office bureaucracy, Balzac had
undertaken his own exploration of the dust-laden, stifling
environment of the paper-pusher in all of his roles and guises.
"Bureaucracy," as he defined it: "a gigantic power set in motion by
dwarfs." In this guidebook, published for mass consumption in 1841,
Balzac's classic theme of melodramatic ambition plays itself out
within the confined, unbreathable space of the proto-cubicle,
filtered through the restricted scale of the pocket handbook. The
template for such later novels such as "The Bureaucrats," and one
of the first significant texts to grapple with the growing role of
the bureaucrat, this physiology reads like a birding field guide in
its presentation of the various classifications of the office
employee, from the Intern to the Clerk (all ten species, from
Dapper to Bootlicker to Drudger) to Office Manager, Department
Head, Office Boy and Pensioner. The job titles may change over the
years, and paper-pushing has perhaps evolved into email-forwarding,
but the taxonomy remains the same. In our twenty-first-century
crisis of employment, jobs continue to be themselves a form of
currency, and the question continues to loom: when will it be
quitting time?
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Pere Goriot (Paperback)
Honore De Balzac; Translated by A.J. Krailsheimer
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R281
R229
Discovery Miles 2 290
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This is the tragic story of a father whose obsessive love for his
two daughters leads to his financial and personal ruin. It is set
against the background of a whole society driven by social ambition
and lust for money. The detailed descriptions of both affluence and
squalor in the Paris of 1819 are an integral part of the drama
played out by a wide range of characters, including the sinister
but fascinating Vautrin. Unquestionably one of Balzac's finest
novels, Pere Goriot still has the power to move the modern reader.
ABOUT THE SERIES: For over 100 years Oxford World's Classics has
made available the widest range of literature from around the
globe. Each affordable volume reflects Oxford's commitment to
scholarship, providing the most accurate text plus a wealth of
other valuable features, including expert introductions by leading
authorities, helpful notes to clarify the text, up-to-date
bibliographies for further study, and much more.
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Ursule Mirouet (Paperback, Ed)
Honore De Balzac; Translated by Donald Adamson
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R339
R275
Discovery Miles 2 750
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In 1842, eight years before his death, Balzac described Ursule
Mirouet as the masterpiece of all the studies of human society that
he had written; he regarded the book as 'a remarkable tour de
force'. An essentially simple tale about the struggle and triumph
of innocence reviled, Ursule Mirouet is characterized by that
wealth of penetrating observation so readily associated with
Balzac's work. The twin themes of redemption and rebirth are
illuminated by a consistently passionate rejection of both
philosophic and practical materialism in favour of love. In this
case love is aided by supernatural intervention, which itself
effectively illustrates Balzac's life-long fascination with the
occult.
On a coach ride between towns, a callow young man gets caught up in
a round of tale-telling with his fellow passengers and ends up
committing an indiscretion that will take a lifetime to undo . . .
In the town of Besancon, a cloistered young girl reads a romance
penned by a mysterious newcomer and schemes to take the place of
the story's real-life inspiration: a beautiful Italian duchess . .
. Two lovers stand in defiance of the age-old feud that has
decimated their families: a vendetta that even Napoleon Bonaparte
himself may be powerless to stop . . . Beginning again in life,
whether in one's profession, or, to a lesser extent, for the
purpose of concealing one's identity, is the theme that unifies the
three stories (A Start in Life, Albert Savarus, and The Vendetta)
in this volume of The Human Comedy. Left unfinished at the time of
Balzac's death, La Comedie Humaine is a vast literary undertaking
composed of some hundred short stories, novellas, and novels set in
the shadow of the Napoleonic Wars during the Bourbon Restoration
and the July Monarchy. Throughout, Balzac utilizes nineteenth
century French society to examine humanity and the human experience
with all its attendant virtues, vices, and peculiarities. The third
volume of Noumena Press's Human Comedy features detailed background
information on each of the stories, 27 illustrations, more than 60
pages of annotations, and two appendices that contain "Journey by
Coucou" by Laure Surville (Balzac's sister) and "Mateo Falcone" by
Prosper Merimee--stories that were the inspiration for Balzac's A
Start in Life and The Vendetta, respectively. "Journey by Coucou"
appears in English translation here for the first time. Honore de
Balzac (1799-1850) was one of France's most prolific and
influential authors. In his lifetime, he worked as a legal clerk,
publisher, printer, businessman, and even ran for political office.
Failing in all these endeavors, he was nonetheless able to make use
of these experiences in his writing to create some of the most
memorable stories and characters in French literature.
Beginning with a visceral description of the society and politics
of Paris, The Girl with the Golden Eyes considers the sex life of
the upper class by its raw depiction of the underside of Parisian
life. Henri de Marsay is a young, rich man who is nearly devoid of
morals and virtue. After he meets Paquita Valdes, a mysterious and
beautiful woman, he becomes infested with a deviant lust for her.
When his plan to seduce her succeeds, Henri and Paquita maintain an
intensely sexual relationship. However, when Henri starts to
suspect Paquita is involved with another lover, he becomes
overwhelmed with rage and jealousy. As he allows this emotion to
cloud his judgement and conscience, Henri's possessiveness plots a
heinous act-immoral even by his questionable standards, leading to
shocking discoveries and sick twists. The surprise and awe invoked
by Honore de Balzac's The Girl with the Golden Eyes ensures a
memorable narrative that has won the attention of critics and
inspired a 1961 film adaptation. With elements of homosexuality,
sexual slavery, incest and violence, The Girl with the Golden Eyes
is a lustful tale that remains to be appalling and taboo. With raw
and ruthless realism, Honore de Balzac creates a portrait and
reflection of an entire society through the vivid depiction of
Paris and the specific amorous vice of the protagonists. While
exploring the vices of the Parisian upper class, The Girl with the
Golden Eyes also invites reflection on the brutal effects misogyny
and ill-intended men have on women, exposing a truth that is still
applicable to modern society. Though The Girl with the Golden Eyes
has traditionally been published among a collection, this edition
of Honore de Balzac's work stands alone in the spotlight it has
earned. Featuring a brand new, eye-catching cover design and a
modern, readable font, this edition of The Girl with the Golden
Eyes is accessible to contemporary audiences and encourages
conversation on torrid and taboo affairs.
The Physiology of Marriage (1829) is a book length essay by French
writer Honore de Balzac. Written from the point of view of an
author who has overheard scandalous conversations between two
women, The Physiology of Marriage is both a critique of the
institution of marriage and a satirical attempt to scientifically
explain the cause and frequency of marital infidelity. The essay
was an early success for Balzac, gaining him a reputation as a
talented writer and creative critic of contemporary French society.
The essay consists of a series of meditations that approach
marriage through a variety of scientific, philosophical, and
anecdotal methods. Arguing that marriage is an institution that
runs counter to human nature, the author uses questionable
mathematics to calculate the number of married women in France who
are likely to seek out affairs in order to feel a passion denied to
them. Describing the likely signs of marital
infidelity-standoffishness, a change in dress, lack of romance-he
claims that French men have grown far too accepting of their wives'
affairs. Rather than reject the institution altogether-he sees it
as integral to upholding the social order-the author suggests that
young women be allowed a certain amount of freedom to explore their
romantic inclinations and to prepare themselves for the banality of
married life. The Physiology of Marriage finds satire in treating
seriously and scientifically the often hidden and always complex
matters of the heart, as well as through its suggestion that women,
not men, are to blame for the proliferation of infidelity in
France. With a beautifully designed cover and professionally
typeset manuscript, this edition of Honore de Balzac's The
Physiology of Marriage is a classic of French literature reimagined
for modern readers.
The Physiology of Marriage (1829) is a book length essay by French
writer Honore de Balzac. Written from the point of view of an
author who has overheard scandalous conversations between two
women, The Physiology of Marriage is both a critique of the
institution of marriage and a satirical attempt to scientifically
explain the cause and frequency of marital infidelity. The essay
was an early success for Balzac, gaining him a reputation as a
talented writer and creative critic of contemporary French society.
The essay consists of a series of meditations that approach
marriage through a variety of scientific, philosophical, and
anecdotal methods. Arguing that marriage is an institution that
runs counter to human nature, the author uses questionable
mathematics to calculate the number of married women in France who
are likely to seek out affairs in order to feel a passion denied to
them. Describing the likely signs of marital
infidelity-standoffishness, a change in dress, lack of romance-he
claims that French men have grown far too accepting of their wives'
affairs. Rather than reject the institution altogether-he sees it
as integral to upholding the social order-the author suggests that
young women be allowed a certain amount of freedom to explore their
romantic inclinations and to prepare themselves for the banality of
married life. The Physiology of Marriage finds satire in treating
seriously and scientifically the often hidden and always complex
matters of the heart, as well as through its suggestion that women,
not men, are to blame for the proliferation of infidelity in
France. With a beautifully designed cover and professionally
typeset manuscript, this edition of Honore de Balzac's The
Physiology of Marriage is a classic of French literature reimagined
for modern readers.
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Cousin Pons (Paperback)
Honore De Balzac; Contributions by Mint Editions
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R371
R314
Discovery Miles 3 140
Save R57 (15%)
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Ships in 10 - 15 working days
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Cousin Pons (1847) is a novel by French author Honore de Balzac.
One of the final works in Balzac's La Comedie humaine sequence,
Cousin Pons originally began as a novella before being extended to
the length of a novel. It serves as both a beautiful meditation on
the nature of Platonic male friendship and a vitriolic condemnation
of the vanity and greed of the French bourgeoisie. In typical
fashion, however, Balzac also turns a critical eye to the lower
class, ensuring his uniquely holistic vision of French society
spares no one-and leaves no stone unturned. When he isn't
performing with a Parisian boulevard orchestra, Sylvain Pons can be
found in deep conversation with his good friend Wilhelm Schmucke,
admiring his collection of paintings, or enjoying a gourmet meal
with his cousins, M. and Mme. Camusot de Marville, whose food he
greatly prefers to that of his landlady's, Mme. Cibot. Pons' life
and company are of little interest to anyone other than his friend
Wilhelm-by family and acquaintances, he is treated at best with
tolerance, and at worst with disdain. After failing to find a
suitable match for their daughter Cecile-which Pons attempts as a
form of repayment for his shared meals with the Camusots-his
cousins dispel him from their home and lives for good. But when
they discover the value of his art collection-as do Mme. Cibot and
several shady characters of the lower classes-a mad scramble ensues
that threatens Sylvain Pons' gentle nature as well as his life.
Cousin Pons, a subtle and underrated novel by Honore de Balzac,
takes an unforgiving look at the consequences of greed as well
exposes the imbalance between the economic and aesthetic values of
art. With a beautifully designed cover and professionally typeset
manuscript, this edition of Honore de Balzac's Cousin Pons is a
classic of French literature reimagined for modern readers.
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