Honoré de Balzac, página 6 de 48

Henri de Marsay, que a los veintidós años no tiene "sentimiento obligatorio alguno", conoce en el jardín de las Tullerías a una hermosa joven. A traves de astutos ardides, consigue convertirse en su amante, pero, aparte de averiguar que es española, que vive custodiada por un marques octogenario y por una severisima dueña, no obtiene de la misteriosa muchacha ningun indicio sobre su pasado o las circunstancias de su vida. En sus encuentros secretos, a ella le gusta vestirlo de mujer, La muchacha de los ojos de oro, publicada en 1835 e incluida en la trilogia Historia de los Trece, recupera la finura de Stendhal en el analisis de las fases del amor y anticipa la corriente decadentista de finales de siglo. Balzac aplica su pluma vigorosa a una historia extremosa y romantica, insolita en sus temas sexuales. El resultado es una exquisita anomalia.

The novella unfolds around a blind old man, Facino Cane who claims to be a descendant of the 14th century condottiere of the same name. The narrator meets Facino Cane at a wedding, and begins a conversation with him. Facino then recounts his life story involving the most extraordinary tales of murder, exile, buried treasure, incarceration and a daring escape.A thoroughly enticing and enthralling short story, with a narrator that has a magnificent knack for getting inside another persons head. This demonstrates that Balzac could have mastered the melodramatic adventure style of writing for which Alexandre Dumas and Victor Hugo are best known. If slightly longer, Facino Cane would be a ready companion piece to Dumas epic The Count of Monte Cristo.

In Ferragus, Chief of the Devorants Balzac skillfully traces a dazzling panorama of 19th century Parisian streets and vividly invokes a sparkling menagerie of characters in ultra-fine detail.A young cavalry officer strolls down these very streets when he spots a beautiful lady in the company of an ill-reputed man. The man is veiled in an impenetrable cloak of secrecy, which also raises questions about the woman at his side, transforming the novel into a thrilling criminal escapade. Flooded with murders, prison escapees, family secrets, and tragic endings, Ferragus, Chief of the Devorants is a darkly ironic albeit sublime reflection of the human condition and the ultimate price of deceit. Recommended for readers who are fascinated by the forays into the human soul and conscience deliberated in Dostoyevskys Crime and Punishment and Gogols Dead Souls. Also, Guy de Maupassant, Flaubert and Emile Zola were naturalist writers who were directly influenced by Balzac.

Due to Balzacs death in 1850, The Deputy of Arcis was left incomplete at its most compelling moment. A political satire criticizing the electoral system, taking place in the provinces of southern France and revolving around a fierce electoral dispute. But the arrival of a mysterious man changes everything - is it for better or worse?Balzacs creative genius, combined with a humourous and ironic narrative makes this read thoroughly entertaining and enjoyable. Guy de Maupassant, Flaubert and Emile Zola were naturalist authors who were directly influenced by Balzac.Strongly recommended for fans of modern-day humorous political sitcoms such as Parks and Recreation, starring Amy Poehler and Nick Offerman as the unforgettable duo Leslie Knope and Ron Swanson.

A short story ushering the reader into the violent and horrifying events that took place during the Reign of Terror following the French Revolution. The tale follows an old ex-Carmelite nun who is hiding from Robespierre with abject fear of what tomorrow may bring. Oozing with mystery and suspense, Balzacs allegorical prose is at its very finest here. The French author who, along with Flaubert, is widely regarded to be one of the founding fathers of realism in European fiction.

The Ball at Sceaux is one of the oldest books in Balzacs The Human Comedy series. It tells the story of Émilie de Fontaine, a pretentious and spoiled young lady who refuses to love anyone who is not known in French high society. At the ball she falls in love with a handsome and mysterious young man, who is revealed to be the taciturn Maximilien Longueville. Emilies family later discovers that Maximilien is concealing the fact that he is a shopkeeper at a Paris marketplace, which horrifies Emilie. But all is not what it seems, as Emilie is soon to find out after she abandons Maximilien for a rich man she does not love. Inspired by Aleksandr Pushkins Eugene Onegin and the fables of La Fontaine, in particular The Girl and The Heron. This Balzacian novella is a wonderful and enthralling read, where the mysterious and unknown tightly grips the reader well past the final page. It is one of the sheer joys of The Human Comedy that we will meet these characters again in other stories.

La recerca de l'Absolut és un dels títols més cèlebres de l'obra balzaquiana i ara el presentem per primer cop en català. Novel·la familiar, d'intriga científica i d'aventures —un dels Estudis filosòfics més llegits de tota la seva Comèdia Humana—, aquest títol s'ha guanyat un lloc destacat gràcies a la seva exhibició magistral de la lluita entre el geni i la follia. Obra admirada per tota una generació d'escriptors, el seu final és plagiat pel jove heroi del film de François Truffaut Les quatre cents coups. El seu protagonista és Balthazar Claës, un ric empresari flamenc, estimat per la seva família, i respectat com a home prudent pels membres de la seva comunitat fins que decideix emprendre la recerca científica de l'element químic —l'Absolut— comú a tots els altres elements, amb la intenció de mesurar el seu poder creador amb el de Déu i donar a la seva família la glòria i la fortuna. Aquesta és la gran novel·la de l'esperit que vol dominar la creació, tot a la recerca d'una perfecció impossible...

In "Petty Troubles of Married Life, First Part," Honoré de Balzac delves into the intricate dynamics of marriage through a meticulously crafted lens of realism and psychological insight. This novella, rich in vivid characterizations and social commentary, explores the everyday grievances and subtle complexities that characterize romantic relationships. Balzac employs a keen observational style, employing humor and irony to depict the often-overlooked struggles of married life, revealing profound truths about human nature, societal expectations, and the interplay of love and conflict within the domestic sphere. Balzac, a pivotal figure in 19th-century literature, is renowned for his comprehensive portrayal of French society in his series "La Comedie Humaine." His own experiences with marriage, along with his observations of societal norms and the tensions between passion and practicality, informed his exploration of matrimonial relationships. This work serves as a reflection of Balzacs keen awareness of the human condition, showcasing his ability to intertwine personal narrative with broader social themes, thus creating a timeless commentary on marital life. This novella is highly recommended for readers interested in the intricate play of relationships and the psychological undercurrents that define them. It serves both as an engaging narrative and a profound exploration of marital complexities, making it a significant read for those captivated by the dynamics of love, conflict, and the everyday realities of partnership.

En Toni el descuidado, Balzac nos cuenta la historia de un niño de 7 años cuyos hermanos mayores son muy estudiosos y ordenados. Pero Toni, no. Es buen chico, pero es muy desordenado. Siempre llega tarde, lo pierde todo, no se arregla, y en el colegio siempre le castigan. Ya se ha acostumbrado. Hasta que un dia su tio favorito se entera de la situacion y decide que hay que cambiar a Toni. Una divertida historia, que hara reir a los mayores y disfrutar a los pequeños. Y seguramente, hacerse mas ordenados.

"Me have that golden gown!" A blameless girl and her monstrous relatives clash over love and money in Balzac's matchless portrayal of greed in a French provincial town.