À Combien L'Amour Revient Aux Vieillards

Études de mœurs : Scènes de la vie parisienne

by Honoré de Balzac

"Eh ! grosse bête, c’est ton affaire de te faire aimer par elle, et tu as bien assez de moyens pour acheter un semblant d’amour qui vaille le vrai. Je te remets la princesse entre les mains ; elle est tenue de te suivre, je ne m’inquiète point du reste..."

144 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1843

About the author

French writer Honoré de Balzac (born Honoré Balzac), a founder of the realist school of fiction, portrayed the panorama of society in a body of works, known collectively as La comédie humaine .

Honoré de Balzac authored 19th-century novels and plays. After the fall of Napoléon in 1815, his magnum opus, a sequence of almost a hundred novels and plays, entitled, presents life in the years.

Due to keen observation of fine detail and unfiltered representation, European literature regards Balzac. He features renowned multifaceted, even complex, morally ambiguous, full lesser characters. Character well imbues inanimate objects; the city of Paris, a backdrop, takes on many qualities. He influenced many famous authors, including the novelists Marcel Proust, Émile Zola, Charles John Huffam Dickens, Gustave Flaubert, Henry James, and Jack Kerouac as well as important philosophers, such as Friedrich Engels. Many works of Balzac, made into films, continue to inspire.

An enthusiastic reader and independent thinker as a child, Balzac adapted with trouble to the teaching style of his grammar. His willful nature caused trouble throughout his life and frustrated his ambitions to succeed in the world of business. Balzac finished, and people then apprenticed him as a legal clerk, but after wearying of banal routine, he turned his back on law. He attempted a publisher, printer, businessman, critic, and politician before and during his career. He failed in these efforts From his own experience, he reflects life difficulties and includes scenes.

Possibly due to his intense schedule and from health problems, Balzac suffered throughout his life. Financial and personal drama often strained his relationship with his family, and he lost more than one friend over critical reviews. In 1850, he married Ewelina Hańska, his longtime paramour; five months later, he passed away.

Reviews

[Classic reverie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Balzac's "What Love Costs An Old Man" is the second of four of "Etudes de Mouers" in "Scenes From A Courtsean's Life" and my favorite volume this far. This continues where "Esther Happy" leaves off and all the players are the same with Madame du Val-Noble, Suzanne the runaway from "Jealousies of a Country Town". Esther helps Lucien de Rubempre and Collins, the Hulks survivor and mastermind evil being to fleece Baron Nucingen, the banker to help Lucien in a good marriage.

Interesting the police from the Kings and Bonaparte regimes and spy network, in their interactions. Corentin, Contenson and Peyrade try to figure out the Spanish Abbe's connection with Esther and Lucien.

I have mixed feelings at times about Lucien, my thoughts at present is totally self centered interest in all his does. Esther is the most likeable courtesan, whereas Nucingen not as evil as Collins but quite close in the way he destroys, dishonesty in his banking manavours.


The story in short-A banker does all he can do that Esther will love him but has periods of being aware of being played.

I did not read this edition but from a Delphi Collection of his works.


💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢spoiler alert💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢

Esther has been pure to Lucien ever since she meet him and more than 5 years, she has been happy until she is told of Lucien's ruin if she does not help pay the bills and other things so he can marry a noble. Lucien having followed Collins' recommendations and he has gained entrance into Grandlieu's home and hopes to marry plain Clotilde, who loves him and is sure to marry him, until it is certain that the money he has is not honestly obtained and he no longer is allowed to see her. Esther has been told to be Nucingen's mistress so Lucien can gain wealth and an estate. Nucingen having the police try to find Esther in volume 1, so Corentin, Contenson and Peyrade are looking into private matters without the main knowledge of the police. They all are experts in disguise which helps then gain access, Corentin seeks to find out about Lucien's relatives to see if they could give him the money which he finds out that Lucien has been lying, Eve and David are very innocent of any wrong doing and Lucien has rarely seen or thought of them. Eve is happy with David and their children. Collins has Lydie, Peyrade's daughter taken and to a house of ruin, unless Peyrade leaves all alone which he tried to get Corentin to leave Lucien alone but it is too late. At a dinner at Esther's , Peyrade is poisoned by Asie, the cook that Collins has in his pocket. Peyrade is told his daughter is ill and arrived to see his daughter ill and ruined, he dies after seeing her. Corentin vows revenge those who have hands in this. Esther obtains poison to take after she has given Nucingen, his pleasure, she feels dead after she can not be pure for Lucien. She tells Lucien of her love and hoping he will remember her, he thinks of himself and tells of a letter from Clotilde which Esther sees how she loves this self interested lover. Esther after an evening out doing herself, commits suicide, Nucingen comes to tell her about Gobseck's death and her being extremely wealthy but she is dead, and he goes for the police, thinking others have killed her. Collins sees to place a fake will under her pillow for Lucien to inherit all. He tried to escape but is found in the roof when the police come but Contenson sees him, Collins kills him and returns to sleep. Lucien sees Clotilde on the road, they planned to meet but the police bring him to jail.




"GRANDLIEU (Clotilde-Frederique de), born in 1802; second daughter of the Duc and Duchesse de Grandlieu; a long, flat creature, the caricature of her mother. She had no consent save that of her mother when she fell in love with and wished to marry the ambitious Lucien de Rubempre in the spring of 1830. She saw him for the last time on the road to Italy in the forest of Fontainbleu near Bouron and under very painful circumstances the young man was arrested before her very eyes. Scenes from a Courtesan’s Life."

"GAILLARD (Madame Theodore), born at Alencon about 1800. Given name Suzanne. “A Norman beauty, fresh, blooming, and sturdy.” One of the employes of Mme. Lardot, the laundress, in 1816, the year when she left her native town after having obtained some money of M. du Bousquier by persuading him that she was with child by him. The Chevalier de Valois liked Suzanne immensely, but did not allow himself to be caught in this trap. Suzanne went to Paris and speedily became a fashionable courtesan. Shortly thereafter she reappeared at Alencon for a visit to attend Athanase Granson’s funeral. She mourned with the desolate mother, saying to her on leaving: “I loved him!” At the same time she ridiculed the marriage of Mlle. Cormon with M. du Bousquier, thus avenging the deceased and Chevalier de Valois. Jealousies of a Country Town. Under the name of Mme. du Val-Noble she became noted in the artistic and fashionable set. In 1821-22, she became the mistress of Hector Merlin. A Distinguished Provincial at Paris. A Bachelor’s Establishment. After having been maintained by Jacques Falleix, the broker who failed, she was for a short time in 1830 mistress of Peyrade who was concealed under the name of Samuel Johnson, “the nabob.” She was acquainted with Esther Gobseck, who lived on rue Saint-Georges in a mansion that had been fitted up for her — Suzanne — by Falleix, and obtained by Nucingen for Esther. Scenes in a Courtesan’s Life. In 1838 she married Theodore Gaillard her lover since 1830. In 1845 she received Lora, Bixiou, and Gazonal. Beatrix. The Unconscious Humorists"

Madame Grandlieu
"Combating the hostility of those about her she welcomed Rubempre, the suitor of her daughter Clotilde-Frederique — 1829-30."


"From 1824 to 1830, Corentin was pitted against the terrible Jacques Collin, alias Vautrin, whose friendly plans in behalf of Lucien de Rubempre he thwarted so cruelly. Corentin it was who rendered futile the contemplated marriage of the aspirant with Clotilde de Grandlieu, bringing about as a consequence the absolute ruin of the “distinguished provincial at Paris.” He rusticated at Passy, rue des Vignes, about May, 1830. Under Charles X., Corentin was chief of the political police of the chateau. Scenes from a Courtesan’s Life."

"GOBSECK (Esther Van), born in 1805 of Jewish origin; daughter of the preceding and great-grand-niece of Jean. For a long time in Paris she followed her mother’s calling, and having begun it early in life she knew its varied phases. Was nick-named “La Torpille.” Was for some time one of the “rats” of the Royal Academy of Music, and numbered among her protectors, Lupeaulx. In 1823 her reduced circumstances almost forced her to leave Paris for Issoudun, where, for a machiavellian purpose, Philippe Bridau would have made her the mistress of Jean-Jacques Rouget. The affair did not materialize. She went to Mme. Meynardie’s house where she remained till about the end of 1823. One evening, while passing the Porte-Saint-Martin theatre, she chanced to meet Lucien de Rubempre, and they loved each other at first sight. Their passion led into many vicissitudes. The poet and the ex-prostitute were rash enough to attend an Opera ball together in the winter of 1824. Unmasked and insulted Esther fled to rue de Langlade, where she lived in dire poverty. The dangerous, powerful and mysterious protector of Rubempre, Jacques Collin, followed her there, lectured her and shaped her future life, making her a Catholic, educating her carefully and finally installing her with Lucien on rue Taitbout, under the surveillance of Jacqueline Collin, Paccard and Prudence Servien. She could go out only at night. Nevertheless, the Baron de Nucingen discovered her and fell madly in love with her. Jacques Collin profited by the episode; Esther received the banker’s attentions, to the enrichment of Lucien. In 1830 she owned a house on rue Saint-Georges which had belonged previously to several celebrated courtesans; there she received Mme. du Val-Noble, Tullia and Florentine — two dancers, Fanny Beaupre and Florine — two actresses. Her new position resulted in police intervention on the part of Louchard, Contenson, Peyrade and Corentin. On May 13, 1830, unable longer to endure Nucingen, La Torpille swallowed a Javanese poison. She died without knowing that she had fallen heir to seven millions left by her great-grand-uncle. Gobseck. The Firm of Nucingen. A Bachelor’s Establishment. Scenes from a Courtesan’s Life. "

Esther is to be mistress for Nucingen for a price but Esther pines for being pure for Lucien; the baron gives her time but after spending so much money he is upset. Collins tells Esther that if she does not act up to the baron; Lucien is ruined unless Esther does her part. Peyrade wonders about Esther and her money. Peyrade notices that Esther and wonders about others behind her in her actions with Nucingen. The place where she had stayed the porter talked to Peyrade and confirmed Lucien was her love for 5 years. Peyrade's disguise is recognized by Collins' people so he goes to tell Peyrade, he must go to the prefect. Corentin, recognises Carlos/Collins and looks to find him. Corentin notices this after he sees his friend Peyrade with Contenson playing the Englishman trying to get into Esther's place by being with the courtesan Val-Noble, she was the young girl trying to get money from the Chevalior, stating she was with child and loved the young man who killed himself, Anthanase Granson. An anonymous letter comes to Grandlieu about Lucien not being what he is but something underhanded, he prohibits Lucien from his home until things are cleared which upsets Lucuen, Esther sees him upsets at the opera and has Nucingen invite him and his friends to their place because Esther demands so. Collins pretends to leave for Spain but he is at Esther's place. Corentin and Lawyer Derville go to see if Eve and David Sechard had inherited millions from his father; Lucien had seen his sister but did not tell her what was going on, so when they questioned them, they told the truth without knowing what Lucien had done until the answers were given. David and Eve have a nice family life. Corentin has not come back yet, so Peyrade has not been able to tell about his daughter who was kidnapped. Corentin comes to see Peyrade about the note but finds his daughter walking in a daze trying to get home, she has been ruined, for 10 days, he sends a note to Peyrade who is at Esther's and has been poisoned by Asie. Peyrade comes home to see his daughter in illness and ruin, he dies before he can talk to her, he has been poisoned. Core by in and Contenson vows to bring justice. Gobseck has died and unknowingly Esther is very rich, she has had her friend obtain some poison, so she can kill herself, her friend Madame du val-noble, she has money going so she can be married and after testing the pills and finding her dog dies, she will die too, but after she gives herself as promised to Nucingen. She sees Lucien for the last time, loves him though his thoughts are always of himself. She kills herself, Nucingen goes to see her to tell her about the money when Asie tells him, she can marry the young man she loves, which upsets him but they find her dead, he goes for the police. Europe and Paccard see the money for Lucien under her pillow and take it and hide to be married. Collins has a fake will that Esther gives all to Lucien. The police are coming and Collins escapes via the roof but is found by Contenson, who Collins kills. Lucien finds Clotilde on the road but he is arrested and finds out Collins is there too.

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

See my summary at http://balzacbooks.wordpress.com/2013...

[David Cain · Rating 5 out of 5]

like all great Balzac, this volume is delicious, full of intrigue and social psychology