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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.
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Eugenie Grandet (Hardcover)
Honore De Balzac; Contributions by Mint Editions
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R516
R422
Discovery Miles 4 220
Save R94 (18%)
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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
|
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.
'This is as much a mystery as the Immaculate Conception, which of
itself must make a doctor an unbeliever.' A stunning pair of short
stories about faith and sacrificial love. Introducing Little Black
Classics: 80 books for Penguin's 80th birthday. Little Black
Classics celebrate the huge range and diversity of Penguin
Classics, with books from around the world and across many
centuries. They take us from a balloon ride over Victorian London
to a garden of blossom in Japan, from Tierra del Fuego to
16th-century California and the Russian steppe. Here are stories
lyrical and savage; poems epic and intimate; essays satirical and
inspirational; and ideas that have shaped the lives of millions.
Honore de Balzac (1799-1850). Balzac's works available in Penguin
Classics are Old Man Goriot, Cousin Bette, History of The Thirteen,
Selected Short Stories, Cousin Pons, A Harlot High and Low, Eugenie
Grandet, The Wild Ass's Skin, The Black Sheep and Lost Illusions.
Characters from every corner of society and all walks of life-lords
and ladies, businessmen and military men, poor clerks, unforgiving
moneylenders, aspiring politicians, artists, actresses, swindlers,
misers, parasites, sexual adventurers, crackpots, and more-move
through the pages of The Human Comedy, Balzac's multivolume magnum
opus, an interlinked chronicle of modernity in all its splendor and
squalor. The Human Comedy includes the great roomy novels that have
exercised such a sway over Balzac's many literary inheritors, from
Dostoyevsky and Henry James to Marcel Proust; it also contains an
array of short fictions in which Balzac is at his most concentrated
and forceful. Nine of these, all newly translated, appear in this
volume, and together they provide an unequaled overview of a great
writer's obsessions and art. Here are "The Duchesse de Langeais,"
"A Passion in the Desert," and "Sarrasine"; tales of madness,
illicit passion, ill-gotten gains, and crime. What unifies them,
Peter Brooks points out in his introduction, is an incomparable
storyteller's fascination with the power of storytelling, while
throughout we also detect what Proust so admired: the "mysterious
circulation of blood and desire."
The Way That Girls Love; How Much Love Costs Old Men; The End Of
Bad Roads; The Last Incarnation Of Vautrin.
Honora de Balzac is considered the founder of social realism.
Balzac was the first writer to write about the all social levels of
the social scene in France. His vast collection of works
encompasses the Restoration period and the July Monarchy. La
Comedie Humaine was written between 1799 and 1850. This collection
contains 95 novels, stories, and essays. Another Study of a Woman
(Autre etude de femme, 1842) can be found in Scenes from private
life (Scenes de la vie privee) section of the La Comedie Humaine.
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Father Goriot (Paperback)
Honore De Balzac; Contributions by Mint Editions
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R337
R283
Discovery Miles 2 830
Save R54 (16%)
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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 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
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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.
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.
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.
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The Deserted Woman (Paperback)
Honore De Balzac; Contributions by Mint Editions
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R161
R140
Discovery Miles 1 400
Save R21 (13%)
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When young Gaston moves to Bayeux, a small province in Normandy, he
feels stranded. Though he would rather spend his time in the
capital city, Gaston must stay in Bayeux until he recovers from his
illness. He feels unsatisfied and bored, until he hears the rumor
about a woman living as a recluse on the countryside. Victomtesse
de Beauseant is a beautiful woman who had been abandoned by her
husband many years ago. Devastated, and now stuck in a loveless
marriage because she cannot get a divorce, she lives in isolation.
Gaston is moved by her story and becomes fixated, desperate to meet
her. When he finally gets the courage to visit her home,
Victomtesse de Beauseant is flattered by his infatuation, and
despite her being ten years his senior, Beauseant and Gaston become
lovers. However, their private paradise is soon interrupted by
Gaston's disapproving mother, who is pressuring him to marry a
woman he does not love. As rumors grow and Gaston's mother becomes
more persistent, Gaston and Victomtesse's love is tested and
threatened like never before. The Deserted Woman exemplifies Honore
de Balzac's extraordinary literary ability that has influenced
esteemed authors such as Henry James and Charles Dickens. With
intricate prose and unparalleled compassion, Honore de Balzac
explores the too-common predicament of women trapped in unhappy
relationships. The Deserted Woman tells the emotional tale of the
pressure society put on women and men to enter marriages that
prioritized social and financial compatibility over a real, mutual,
love connection. Though it does not exist to such an extent in
Western society, Balzac's The Deserted Woman invites readers to
consider how this spirit of unhealthy marriages is still alive in
modern relationships. Balzac dedicated much of his career to the
pursuit of capturing all aspects of society with his realist lens,
creating celebrated work that influences the perspective of
society. This edition of The Deserted Woman by Honore de Balzac
features a striking new cover design and is reprinted in a modern,
easy-to-read font, creating an approachable reading experience for
a contemporary audience.
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Eugenie Grandet (Paperback)
Honore De Balzac; Contributions by Mint Editions
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R280
R235
Discovery Miles 2 350
Save R45 (16%)
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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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