Tag Archives: La Comédie Humaine
Sarrasine by Balzac
“I shall always have in my memory, a divine harpy, who will come and stick her claws in all my masculine feelings, and who will stamp all other women with the mark of imperfection.” At this point, I could consider … Continue reading
Adieu by Balzac
I’ve read conflicting information on Balzac’s attitude to Napoleon and the monarchy. André Maurois states that as a “child of Austerlitz,” Balzac “never lost that early ardour.” There seems little point in arguing on the subject of whether Balzac was … Continue reading
Study of a Woman by Balzac
Balzac’s story, The Study of a Woman, is slight–a character study of the young Marquise de Listomere. Balzac tells us that she is a product of the Restoration, and that her morals and behaviour reflect her time. We’re told that … Continue reading
Domestic Peace by Balzac
“Calm and smiling faces and placid brows covered sordid interests, expressions of friendship were a lie, and more than one man was less distrustful of his enemies than of his friends.” Domestic Peace (La Paix du Ménage) is another gem … Continue reading
A Second Home by Balzac
“The fatal blunder of mistaking the enchantment of desire for that of love.” Balzac’s novella A Second Home (Une Double Famille) begins in 1815 with an impoverished mother and daughter slaving away as embroiderers and barely making ends meet. They live in … Continue reading
At the Sign of the Cat and Racket by Balzac
“This is what comes of sight-seeing,” exclaimed Monsieur Guillaume, “a headache.” When I saw the title At the Sign of the Cat and Racket, my first thought was that this Balzac novel concerned a pub. No, the sign of the … Continue reading
Gobseck by Balzac
“I like to leave mud on a rich man’s carpet; it is not petty spite; I like to make them feel a touch of the claws of necessity.” The lawyer Derville is one of the most fascinating characters I’ve met … Continue reading
The Ball at Sceaux by Balzac
“Only the poor are generous as a rule; the rich have always excellent reasons for not handing over twenty thousand francs to a relation.” The Ball at Sceaux (Le bal de Sceaux), published in 1830, is one of the novels in … Continue reading
Balzac’s Omelette by Anka Muhlstein
“Parties always end in pandemonium in houses where the valets have more style than the masters.” As a Balzac fan, I was really interested to read Balzac’s Omelette from Anka Muhlstein (original title Garçon, un cent d’huîtres, Balzac er la Table). My … Continue reading
Filed under Muhlstein Anka, Non Fiction
Vendetta by Balzac
“The tradition of the Vendetta will long prevent the reign of law in Corsica.” Vendetta, a short story from Balzac, came free via Amazon for the kindle, and my copy is translated by Katharine Prescott Wormeley. While I am a … Continue reading
