Honore de Balzac's classic novel Pere Goriot is an engaging tale about the lives of two men in Paris. Set in a time of economic and social upheaval, the novel follows Rastignac, a young man from the provinces, as he navigates the city's many complexities in pursuit of his own ambitions. Meanwhile, the elderly Pere Goriot lives a life of quiet dignity, offering shelter and support to those in need. As the two men are drawn together, the story of their lives reveals a poignant portrait of life in 19th century France. With its captivating characters and vivid depictions of life in the city, Pere Goriot is an essential piece of French literature.
This edition of Honore de Balzac's 1835 classic is based on the 1898 translation by Ellen Marriage (1865-1946).
Honore de Balzac (1799-1850) is one of the greatest novelists in French literary history. He is best known for his novels depicting French society during the Restoration and July Monarchy eras of the 19th century. His writing style has been compared to that of the modern-day authors Leo Tolstoy and Marcel Proust. Born in Tours, France, Balzac was the eldest of his parents’ five children. His father, Bernard-François Balssac, was a lawyer and his mother, Anne-Charlotte-Laure Sallambier, was the daughter of a wealthy merchant. Balzac attended the Oratorian school in Vendome and later studied law in Paris. Despite his legal studies, Balzac’s true passion was writing. He began his literary career at the age of twenty-one, publishing his first novel, Les Chouans, in 1829. This was followed by a series of novels and short stories that depicted French society in great detail. His most famous work, La Comédie Humaine, was a collection of interlinked novels and stories that depicted the complexities of French society during the 19th century. Balzac was a prolific and highly influential writer, often credited with being the first to accurately portray French society in literature. His works have been adapted for film, television and theatre, and his influence can be seen in the works of many modern-day authors. Balzac’s life and works have become part of the French literary canon, and he is regarded as one of the greatest novelists in French literary history.
This edition of Honore de Balzac's 1835 classic is based on the 1898 translation by Ellen Marriage (1865-1946).
Honore de Balzac (1799-1850) is one of the greatest novelists in French literary history. He is best known for his novels depicting French society during the Restoration and July Monarchy eras of the 19th century. His writing style has been compared to that of the modern-day authors Leo Tolstoy and Marcel Proust. Born in Tours, France, Balzac was the eldest of his parents’ five children. His father, Bernard-François Balssac, was a lawyer and his mother, Anne-Charlotte-Laure Sallambier, was the daughter of a wealthy merchant. Balzac attended the Oratorian school in Vendome and later studied law in Paris. Despite his legal studies, Balzac’s true passion was writing. He began his literary career at the age of twenty-one, publishing his first novel, Les Chouans, in 1829. This was followed by a series of novels and short stories that depicted French society in great detail. His most famous work, La Comédie Humaine, was a collection of interlinked novels and stories that depicted the complexities of French society during the 19th century. Balzac was a prolific and highly influential writer, often credited with being the first to accurately portray French society in literature. His works have been adapted for film, television and theatre, and his influence can be seen in the works of many modern-day authors. Balzac’s life and works have become part of the French literary canon, and he is regarded as one of the greatest novelists in French literary history.