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La Comédie Humaine #37
The Collection Of Antiquities
Balzac, master of the French novel and the author of Pere Goriot, also wrote short stories about life in provincial France. This is a collection of these well-crafted tales. Newly designed and typeset for easy reading by Boomer Books.
164 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1839
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330 people want to read
About the author
Honoré de Balzac
9,540 books4,363 followersFrench 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.
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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
June 29, 2021
Celebrity Death Match Special: Honoré de Balzac versus Beatrix Potter
I should start by saying that this book is a lot of fun if read quickly. I particularly enjoyed getting better acquainted with the stylish and dangerous Mme de Maufrigneuse, who isn't given nearly enough screen time in Splendeurs et misères des courtisanes. And who could not love Chesnel, the faithful retainer who spends most of the novel struggling to rescue spoiled, irresponsible young Victurnien from himself? But try as I will, I remain to be convinced that Balzac really needed to provide quite so much backstory for his characters. Comparing with Beatrix Potter, the author of another greatly loved roman fleuve, I feel that the right amount of information has been provided when we are told that Peter's father had an accident in Mr McGregor's garden and was put in a pie by Mrs McGregor. It is possible that my appreciation of the book would have been further enhanced by learning that Adeline McGregor was the third daughter of the Earl of Stanwick, and was obliged by her overbearing father to make a hasty marriage to one of his tenants, a miserly and much older local farmer, in exchange for his permission, required by an obscure Scottish law introduced late in the reign of James I, for the Earl to mortgage the McGregor property in order to pay a debt of honour incurred during a card game at a dissolute London party to which he been invited by a friend he had made during his years as an undergraduate at All Souls College, Oxford, where at least he acquired a passable acquaintance with classical literature; moreover that Adeline detested the taste of rabbit, and resented being given the contents of her husband's rabbit traps and being asked to use them to prepare dinner almost as much as she disliked his penchant for greeting her reluctant presentation of the pie with a misquotation from Ovid about how rabbits change into other things.
It is, as noted, conceivable that this would have improved The Tale of Peter Rabbit. But personally, I think Beatrix Potter got it right.
_________________
[Update, June 29 2021]
There is an extended sequence centred around this book on pages 96-98 of Proust's Sodome et Gomorrhe. M. de Charlus, who is hitting on Mme de Surgis's son Victurnien, makes much of the coincidence of names and invites him to come over sometime and see his edition of Le Cabinet des Antiques "avec des corrections de la main de Balzac".
I should start by saying that this book is a lot of fun if read quickly. I particularly enjoyed getting better acquainted with the stylish and dangerous Mme de Maufrigneuse, who isn't given nearly enough screen time in Splendeurs et misères des courtisanes. And who could not love Chesnel, the faithful retainer who spends most of the novel struggling to rescue spoiled, irresponsible young Victurnien from himself? But try as I will, I remain to be convinced that Balzac really needed to provide quite so much backstory for his characters. Comparing with Beatrix Potter, the author of another greatly loved roman fleuve, I feel that the right amount of information has been provided when we are told that Peter's father had an accident in Mr McGregor's garden and was put in a pie by Mrs McGregor. It is possible that my appreciation of the book would have been further enhanced by learning that Adeline McGregor was the third daughter of the Earl of Stanwick, and was obliged by her overbearing father to make a hasty marriage to one of his tenants, a miserly and much older local farmer, in exchange for his permission, required by an obscure Scottish law introduced late in the reign of James I, for the Earl to mortgage the McGregor property in order to pay a debt of honour incurred during a card game at a dissolute London party to which he been invited by a friend he had made during his years as an undergraduate at All Souls College, Oxford, where at least he acquired a passable acquaintance with classical literature; moreover that Adeline detested the taste of rabbit, and resented being given the contents of her husband's rabbit traps and being asked to use them to prepare dinner almost as much as she disliked his penchant for greeting her reluctant presentation of the pie with a misquotation from Ovid about how rabbits change into other things.
It is, as noted, conceivable that this would have improved The Tale of Peter Rabbit. But personally, I think Beatrix Potter got it right.
_________________
[Update, June 29 2021]
There is an extended sequence centred around this book on pages 96-98 of Proust's Sodome et Gomorrhe. M. de Charlus, who is hitting on Mme de Surgis's son Victurnien, makes much of the coincidence of names and invites him to come over sometime and see his edition of Le Cabinet des Antiques "avec des corrections de la main de Balzac".
September 16, 2021
Der Literaturkritiker Emile Blondet ist so etwas wie der ganz große Durchblicker in der Comédie Humaine, nicht nur in seinem Hauptfach, sondern auch als Analytiker der gesellschaftlichen Zusammenhänge in der feinen Gesellschaft von Paris. Von daher schwebt er ein wenig über den Rastignacs und Rubemprés, deren Nähe zum großen Geld und kriminellem Umfeld er nicht teilt.
Der Mann weiß so viel und bringt so viele finstere Geheimnisse auf kürzestem Raum unter, dass ich mir Das Haus Nucingen https://www.goodreads.com/review/show... alle paar HC-Romane wieder antun muss, um bislang überlesene Querverbindungen ins Gesamtbild einzufügen.
Die provinziellen Hintergründe voll familiärer Untiefen waren mir bislang unbekannt, eine kleine Éducation sentimentale als Nebenstimme im Getriebe seiner Heimatstadt gehört zum Einstieg in ein Intrigenkarrussel, dass auch die zynische Jeunesse d'orée um de Marsay, Rastignac und Co streift, ehe sogar die ungekrönte Königin Inkognito ins Provinzkaff Alencon aufbrechen muss, um ein übles Nachbeben der Verwirrung ihrer Gefühle abzufedern.
Dank zahlreicher Querverbindungen erweist sich das Antiquitätenkabinett als eines der personellen Drehkreuze im Gesamtgeschehen, auch wenn es auf den ersten Blick die Fortsetzung der Alten Jungfer darstellt, deren genarrte Titelheldin bei der Auflösung eine entscheidende Nebenrolle spielen darf und sich dabei als schlauer erweist als ihr rachsüchtiger Gatte.
Im direkten Vergleich mit dem ersten Teil, weist das turbulentere und Antiquitätenkabinett nur einen Nachteil auf, die charakterliche Tiefe ist nicht so groß, auch die persönliche Tragik oder Lächerlichkeit der handelnden oder leidenden Personen. Das gilt, - mit Ausnahme des sich gegenseitig über den finanziellen Ruin täuschenden Liebespaares - auch für viele andere Mitglieder des Ensembles, die in anderen Romanen ausführlich eingeführt wurden.
Allerdings liegt Blondets Fokus bei der Schilderung des Konflikts zwischen den Mitgliedern des im vorigen Jahrhundert und früher stecken gebliebenen Antiquitätenkabinetts und den Liberalen und ihrem Anführer mit blutrotem Hintergrund, bzw. seinem persönlichen Gegenstück zur
Alten Jungfer, einer Art ersten Liebe, die als allzu nachsichtige Tante eines hübschen Jünglings und letzten Sprosses eines adelsstolzen Geschlechts, so gut wie alles falsch macht, was frau falsch machen kann und dabei über einen Verbündeten verfügt, dessen Loyalität bis zum persönlichen Ruin geht. Der größere Abstand zu den Personen und verhältnismäßig wenig Empathie ist teilweise auch der Erzählsituation geschuldet ist, schließlich ist Blondet nur so objektiv wie möglich, bevor er den finalen Vergleich mit der perfektem persönlichen Schlusspointe verziert.
Zu zahlreichen Konstellationen des Romans gibt es Parallelen in anderen Teilen des Zyklus, das eigentliche Meisterstück bilden hier die Kombination und die Auflösung. Neben der Jugendgeschichte Blondets bilden die große Liebe und Ernüchterung der Herzogin von Maufrigneuse, die ihr Fazit erst Jahre später in einer anderen Erzählung ziehen wird, sowie die Einführung des Karrierejuristen Camusot, der beim Finale von Glanz Elend eine wichtige Rolle spielen wird, die Novitäten. Denn die Weichen in Richtung Paris werden im Antiquitätenkabinett gestellt. Seine noch intrigantere Frau, eine Art Lady Macbeth in Sachen Karriereplanung, spielte schon als junges Mädchen (Vendetta https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...) ihrer Widersacherin allerlei denunziatorische Streiche.
Fazit: Technisch Fünf Sterne, emotional lässt mich die Geschichte um einen Haufen Leute, die sich etwas in die Tasche lügen, noch mal davon kommen und trotzdem nichts dazu lernen, etwas kälter, von daher lasse ich es bei vier Sternen.
Der Mann weiß so viel und bringt so viele finstere Geheimnisse auf kürzestem Raum unter, dass ich mir Das Haus Nucingen https://www.goodreads.com/review/show... alle paar HC-Romane wieder antun muss, um bislang überlesene Querverbindungen ins Gesamtbild einzufügen.
Die provinziellen Hintergründe voll familiärer Untiefen waren mir bislang unbekannt, eine kleine Éducation sentimentale als Nebenstimme im Getriebe seiner Heimatstadt gehört zum Einstieg in ein Intrigenkarrussel, dass auch die zynische Jeunesse d'orée um de Marsay, Rastignac und Co streift, ehe sogar die ungekrönte Königin Inkognito ins Provinzkaff Alencon aufbrechen muss, um ein übles Nachbeben der Verwirrung ihrer Gefühle abzufedern.
Dank zahlreicher Querverbindungen erweist sich das Antiquitätenkabinett als eines der personellen Drehkreuze im Gesamtgeschehen, auch wenn es auf den ersten Blick die Fortsetzung der Alten Jungfer darstellt, deren genarrte Titelheldin bei der Auflösung eine entscheidende Nebenrolle spielen darf und sich dabei als schlauer erweist als ihr rachsüchtiger Gatte.
Im direkten Vergleich mit dem ersten Teil, weist das turbulentere und Antiquitätenkabinett nur einen Nachteil auf, die charakterliche Tiefe ist nicht so groß, auch die persönliche Tragik oder Lächerlichkeit der handelnden oder leidenden Personen. Das gilt, - mit Ausnahme des sich gegenseitig über den finanziellen Ruin täuschenden Liebespaares - auch für viele andere Mitglieder des Ensembles, die in anderen Romanen ausführlich eingeführt wurden.
Allerdings liegt Blondets Fokus bei der Schilderung des Konflikts zwischen den Mitgliedern des im vorigen Jahrhundert und früher stecken gebliebenen Antiquitätenkabinetts und den Liberalen und ihrem Anführer mit blutrotem Hintergrund, bzw. seinem persönlichen Gegenstück zur
Alten Jungfer, einer Art ersten Liebe, die als allzu nachsichtige Tante eines hübschen Jünglings und letzten Sprosses eines adelsstolzen Geschlechts, so gut wie alles falsch macht, was frau falsch machen kann und dabei über einen Verbündeten verfügt, dessen Loyalität bis zum persönlichen Ruin geht. Der größere Abstand zu den Personen und verhältnismäßig wenig Empathie ist teilweise auch der Erzählsituation geschuldet ist, schließlich ist Blondet nur so objektiv wie möglich, bevor er den finalen Vergleich mit der perfektem persönlichen Schlusspointe verziert.
Zu zahlreichen Konstellationen des Romans gibt es Parallelen in anderen Teilen des Zyklus, das eigentliche Meisterstück bilden hier die Kombination und die Auflösung. Neben der Jugendgeschichte Blondets bilden die große Liebe und Ernüchterung der Herzogin von Maufrigneuse, die ihr Fazit erst Jahre später in einer anderen Erzählung ziehen wird, sowie die Einführung des Karrierejuristen Camusot, der beim Finale von Glanz Elend eine wichtige Rolle spielen wird, die Novitäten. Denn die Weichen in Richtung Paris werden im Antiquitätenkabinett gestellt. Seine noch intrigantere Frau, eine Art Lady Macbeth in Sachen Karriereplanung, spielte schon als junges Mädchen (Vendetta https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...) ihrer Widersacherin allerlei denunziatorische Streiche.
Fazit: Technisch Fünf Sterne, emotional lässt mich die Geschichte um einen Haufen Leute, die sich etwas in die Tasche lügen, noch mal davon kommen und trotzdem nichts dazu lernen, etwas kälter, von daher lasse ich es bei vier Sternen.
August 6, 2018
"Cambiare tutto per non cambiare niente" un Gattopardo francese che ci richiama alla riflessione che non c'è mai una gloria perpetua.
Cambiano le persone ma la sostanza è sempre la stessa, la debolezza del rampollo schiacciata inesorabilmente dal nuovo barbaro spietato che avanza. Non ci sono campane di vetro, non ci sono mai state.
Le antiche glorie si perdono tra pagine ingiallite, il progresso non ha memoria, non ne può avere, lui si avvale di chi in quel momento è pronto a salire sul carro e a spingere fuori bordo chi si aspetta le cose come date per scontate. Certi alberi genealogici possono durare secoli ma non si imporranno mai sul "Tempo". Costruirono le piramidi, i castelli, le muraglie ma la natura, il progresso (sia buono che cattivo), gli "affamati" vogliono nuove glorie, nuove inaugurazioni. Orazio suggeriva di non costruire le piramidi, la nobiltà d'animo sussurra all'orecchio che la gloria mondana, secolare e materiale sono un abbaglio, abbaglio che l'uomo brama da sempre e che lo rende spietato.
Salviamo il rampollo, suo figlio, ma solo quando sarà nuovamente affamato di tutto potrà far gonfiare nuovamente le vele.
Cambiano le persone ma la sostanza è sempre la stessa, la debolezza del rampollo schiacciata inesorabilmente dal nuovo barbaro spietato che avanza. Non ci sono campane di vetro, non ci sono mai state.
Le antiche glorie si perdono tra pagine ingiallite, il progresso non ha memoria, non ne può avere, lui si avvale di chi in quel momento è pronto a salire sul carro e a spingere fuori bordo chi si aspetta le cose come date per scontate. Certi alberi genealogici possono durare secoli ma non si imporranno mai sul "Tempo". Costruirono le piramidi, i castelli, le muraglie ma la natura, il progresso (sia buono che cattivo), gli "affamati" vogliono nuove glorie, nuove inaugurazioni. Orazio suggeriva di non costruire le piramidi, la nobiltà d'animo sussurra all'orecchio che la gloria mondana, secolare e materiale sono un abbaglio, abbaglio che l'uomo brama da sempre e che lo rende spietato.
Salviamo il rampollo, suo figlio, ma solo quando sarà nuovamente affamato di tutto potrà far gonfiare nuovamente le vele.
October 5, 2022
Have any of you ever read a story and you’re halfway through with pics in your mind of how houses and people etc should look and then the author decides to finally start describing everything but you’re like nah dude I already figured this out, you are too late
August 19, 2025
Toutes les 2 ou 3 pages, Balzac sort un truc super misogyne. Oui c'est l'époque, mais ça m'a semblé tellement fréquent que j'ai surligné à chaque fois lol
Je trouve ça particulièrement hilarant qu'il dise 'L'adage : loin des yeux loin du cœur est surtout vrai pour les femmes' alors que lui-même avait plusieurs maîtresses je crois ? Il tourne aussi en dérision l'idée d'une déclaration des droits des femmes... un super moment en somme...
C'est bien écrit mais j'ai pas trouvé ça passionnant. Quelques jolies phrases. J'ai bien aimé Chesnel en général. Surtout quand il dit au comte qu'il pourra lui rendre service et le tuer s'il se suicide pas lol.
Le marquis est complètement delulu c'était marrant (bloqué dans l'ancien régime comme on dit ^^'), surtout quand il pense aux lettres de cachet permettant d'enfermer les enfants désobéissants
J'ai bien aimé Armande, la tante du comte (qui est finalement pas tellement le personnage principal, c'est juste un jeune homme trop naïf), elle me faisait un peu penser à ma tante m'enfin j'espère qu'elle va pas mal finir sa vie à cause de mon frère (quoique ça m'étonnerait pas qu'il continue à faire de la merde.)
Bon bref jsp si c'était le bon livre pour découvrir Balzac, j'ai pas trop aimé et je suis déjà sympa de donner 2 étoiles (c'est pour le remercier parce que surligner et annoter les passages loufoques m'a divertie)
Je trouve ça particulièrement hilarant qu'il dise 'L'adage : loin des yeux loin du cœur est surtout vrai pour les femmes' alors que lui-même avait plusieurs maîtresses je crois ? Il tourne aussi en dérision l'idée d'une déclaration des droits des femmes... un super moment en somme...
C'est bien écrit mais j'ai pas trouvé ça passionnant. Quelques jolies phrases. J'ai bien aimé Chesnel en général. Surtout quand il dit au comte qu'il pourra lui rendre service et le tuer s'il se suicide pas lol.
Le marquis est complètement delulu c'était marrant (bloqué dans l'ancien régime comme on dit ^^'), surtout quand il pense aux lettres de cachet permettant d'enfermer les enfants désobéissants
J'ai bien aimé Armande, la tante du comte (qui est finalement pas tellement le personnage principal, c'est juste un jeune homme trop naïf), elle me faisait un peu penser à ma tante m'enfin j'espère qu'elle va pas mal finir sa vie à cause de mon frère (quoique ça m'étonnerait pas qu'il continue à faire de la merde.)
Bon bref jsp si c'était le bon livre pour découvrir Balzac, j'ai pas trop aimé et je suis déjà sympa de donner 2 étoiles (c'est pour le remercier parce que surligner et annoter les passages loufoques m'a divertie)
November 27, 2023
The description for this edition is off by about 98%. This is *not* ... a collection of these well-crafted tales about life in provincial France. This is a short novel that mostly takes place in privincial France. The time period for most of the novel is in 1822/23. In the first part Balzac tells us how the noblity lost their land under Napoleon, how much of the nobility actually emigrated to avoid the guillotine.
The family that is at the center of this novel is that of d'Esgrignon. In 1822, the family consists of the Marquis, his sister Mlle. Armande, and the Marquis son, Victorinen. Victorinen's mother died in childbirth. Victorinen has been raised by his aunt. The Marquis d'Esgrignon still believes in the superiority of the nobility and for some reason no one tells him differently. The Marquis and others of the town nobility are called by the townspeople "The Cabinet of Antiquities." Further, there is one family that was spurned in the past and has vowed revenge for more than 20 years. de Croisier plots his opportunity.
The d'Esgrignons are no longer a wealthy family, though no one would say they had fallen into poverty. Victorinen must marry and preferably someone who will have a substantial dowry. He sets off to Paris. But the young man has been given to believe in that same superiority as his father believes and, further, has no idea that he isn't a wealthy young man.
I did not read this edition, but instead the one included in Works of Honore de Balzac. I don't know who was the translator, but I think it was a good one. Still, this is not a title to be read unless one plans to read all, or nearly all, of Balzac's Comédie Humaine and even for me this doesn't quite make 4-stars.
The family that is at the center of this novel is that of d'Esgrignon. In 1822, the family consists of the Marquis, his sister Mlle. Armande, and the Marquis son, Victorinen. Victorinen's mother died in childbirth. Victorinen has been raised by his aunt. The Marquis d'Esgrignon still believes in the superiority of the nobility and for some reason no one tells him differently. The Marquis and others of the town nobility are called by the townspeople "The Cabinet of Antiquities." Further, there is one family that was spurned in the past and has vowed revenge for more than 20 years. de Croisier plots his opportunity.
The d'Esgrignons are no longer a wealthy family, though no one would say they had fallen into poverty. Victorinen must marry and preferably someone who will have a substantial dowry. He sets off to Paris. But the young man has been given to believe in that same superiority as his father believes and, further, has no idea that he isn't a wealthy young man.
I did not read this edition, but instead the one included in Works of Honore de Balzac. I don't know who was the translator, but I think it was a good one. Still, this is not a title to be read unless one plans to read all, or nearly all, of Balzac's Comédie Humaine and even for me this doesn't quite make 4-stars.
July 24, 2013
Le Cabinet des Antiques d��signe le milieu de cette vieille noblesse de province, ruin��e par la R��volution et oubli��e par les Bourbons restaur��s. Le marquis d'Esgrignon, sa soeur et ses amis incarnent ce groupe social. H��las ! le fils du marquis, parti pour Paris, y m��ne joyeuse vie, s'y ruine, commet un faux, risque le bagne. Le Cabinet des Antiques forme une suite de la Vieille Fille m��me si certains noms ont ��t�� modifi��s. Balzac excelle �� peindre ces classes sociales path��tiques et d��pass��es, ces parents d��truits par leurs enfants, le caract��re impitoyable des temps nouveaux o�� le nom, la tradition ne sont plus rien, mais o�� l'argent est tout. Au tableau s'ajoute l'intrigue romanesque. Les frasques d'un jeune homme, sa perte, son salut, c'est un roman d'aventures, c'est aussi le th��me des Illusions perdues.
July 5, 2021
Balzac's "Le Cabinet des Antiques", continues the lives of the nobles, d'Esgrignons and the liberal, Bousquier, or du Croisier as he is called in this story. Rose Bousquier who has become basically a servant to her husband, in "The Old Maid", takes some control here. Chesnel, the notary has been tied, by his choice, to the d'Esgrignon and does all he can to help the young baron, Victurnean. Balzac shows how nobility has changed after Napoleon rule and the change of the noblesse to end in a slow death unless with the help of the bourgeois, in gaining their wealth. The Jealousies of a country town, which Balzac shows in these two stories, "The Old Maid" and "Le Cabinet des Antiques" is the rivalry of these two factions. As I read on in his, "La Comedie Humaine", we read a fictionalized account of the struggles the provinces and Paris were dealing with a change of the social system. Victurnean became more unlikable as time went on, insufferable, it will be interesting, if future stories bring this young man into focus again, as well as other characters. The time frame is the French Revolution and up till 1820's.
Story in short- Bousquier looks to bring the d'Esgrignon's group down with the unknown help of the young baron, Victurnean.
The quote below is from Marcel Proust's A Search for Lost Time, book 4; meaning a young man looking to bring down his family in some sort of disgrace.
"What, you are called Victurnien, after the "Cabinet des Antiques" Cities of the Plain"
I did not read this edition but from a collection of his works, which included the synopsis below.
"Le Cabinet des Antiques was initially published in 1839, continuing the story in La Vieille Fille, with several of the same characters reappearing. The novella concerns Maitre Chesnel, who was Rose’s notary in The Old Maid. At the time of the Revolution he was the faithful steward of the d’Esgrignons and saved much of their property by purchasing it in his own name. When the Marquis returned after the Revolution, he gave shelter to a Baron and his daughter, later marrying the daughter. "
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We find out Bousquier before marrying Rose had tried to marry Armande d'Esgrignon but her pride in her noble heredity made it clear that she would not lower herself, he was not a good guy to marry anyways. Bousquier never forgot this insult and tricked Rose into marrying him, deluding her in his reason. He looks to take down the d'Esgrignon's noble salon. Bousquier devises a plan to destroy the house by corrupting the son with gambling and other vices, with the help of a nephew, who encouraged that behavior. Chesnel warns Armande about the debts and behavior, his paying off the debts with his own money, to help this adopted "son". Victurnean never appreciated Chesnel and after he goes to Paris, disregards his advice. Emile Blondet, the writer, from Alencon who is not of noble blood, is disregarded by the young baron but in Paris, all has changed. His new friends look to help him ruin himself by not advising but letting him fall in the hands of a fickle married duchess. Victurnean turns to forgery to satisfy his mistress and planned to escape the country but the arrest is hurried along. All looks like Victurnean will be for the Hulks but Chesnel devoted counter planning stops this from happening but poverty comes to the house. Money becomes more important than rank, it brings Victurnean in marrying Bousquier's niece who he does not love and spends his time in Paris, when he can, shows how selfish he was in the beginning and until the very end.
I liked Chesnel, he did all for the family and did so because he loved them, as a servant loves his lord. He helps the d'Esgrignons, who left and all their property gone but Chesnel after helps buying back with his money. When Armante was proposed by Bousquier which Chesnel tried to help the family because of Bousquier's continual pestering, the Marquis and Armande did not forgive. Chesnel tried to help Victurnean but could not stop the youth from destruction and even goes to length to sell all he had and to tell Rose Bousquier to lie but it would not harm her husband, which it effected. Victurnean became more a scoundrel, and I disliked him more and more. Rose helping rise her in my eyes.
It was Victurnean who broke down Chesnel and thought of himself more than anyone, but at times I admit he did think of his family. Emile Blondet loves Mlle. dEsgrignon, he recalls the d'Esgrignon's salon. The royalist leave the province instead of being killed, their property removed and they come back much changed. Chesnel, a servant of the d'Esgrognon once mentioned to the marquis about a marriage proposal for his sister but she refused because the suitor was not of noble bood. She takes care of her brother's son, his wife died in childbirth. The marquis never forgave Chesnel for his mishap in the proposal. Victurnien is the marquis' son and Armande is his sister. Victurnien is ruining is family with his ways which take money that Chesnel pays without his father and aunt knowing; they can not see his wrongs and Chesnel is afraid to tell them. Bousquier looks to destroy the d'Esgrinon's by way of their son, Victurnien's friend is a plant. Marquis finds out from Valois that Chesnel has been giving Victurnien money to pay for all his escapades. He is angry and they decide to let the young boy to go to Paris. Chensel tells Armande that her nephew has been in trouble and that a friend of his is actually of the Bousquier camp, looking to ruin him. Chensel sends a letter to a friend to watch of the young noble. Victurnien goes to Paris and finds out that he is not for any position so he seeks pleasure. Chesnel's friend that was to help the young count; has died and his widow not reading sends it to his successor. Rastignac is a scoudral; I remember him causing trouble to his family. Diane de Maufrigneuse is married and has affairs which she traps men to pay for her, Victurnean is her latest and his supposed friends look for his downfall. Victurnean is surprised that Blondet, a fellow neighbor is able to go to these salons. The debts increase and Chensel's money diminish. Armande hears about Chesnel's loss from Victurnean; her fears of ruin of the family, she is off to Paris to bring him back. The young man was from the old maid; Athanase. Chesnsel and Armande have Victurnean stay at his house; he returns to Paris to get the notes and try to recover before arrest but he is too late. He sees Victurnean arrested and goes to Bousquier's house but sees it is too late and tries to get help from the magistrate. Emile Blondet history is told because Blondet wants his son, Joseph to marry a girl that du Roncerets wants his son, Fabien to marry. Blondet's wife died and his second son was not his but another man's child. Emilie, that child was cast off to end for his own in Paris. Camusot is the notary who took Chesnel's place, Chesnel looks to get him to Victurnean's side and Mme Camusot thinks that helping the young man would further her husband. The Duchess Maufrigneuse comes to help. Bousquier has planned to ruin Chesnel first by having him run through his money and sell the properties he bought to help the d'Esgrignons. Victurnean forged a check and does so after thinking the Duchess will leave the country with him. Maufrigneuse dresses as a young man to help Chesnel bring the Camusot to their side. Madame Camusot looks to leave Alencon and have her husband prosper in Paris. Chesnel has talked Rose to say the money was given before the arrest. He had the money given to him by the duchess, after he asked for his help to prevent Victurnean from prison, she takes all in account and disguised herself as a man to not call her to attention. Chesnel and Duchess help turn the tables to prevent Victurnean's trial which all was hidden from the Marquis. Camusot decided to go to the side of Victurnean. Bousquier is surprised especially about his wife and her not telling him of the money. Victurnean is free but his family is in poverty. The duchess encourages him to marry a rich womam, and nobility of the past is gone. When he cries for her love, she has turned cold because her love had gone when he became weak. Chesnel after the case is one, dies soon after and the marquis comes to his comfort not knowing all this servant has given for him. Chesnel's wife and son die, so the d'Esgrignon family is his love. Victurnean is bored and worthless because he does not rise himself. The liberals encourage Bousquier to bring the trial to higher court but it is unsuccesful. A duel between Bousquier and Victurnean has injured the young man and Bousquier's is unable to win a seat he wanted. The king does not help elevate the d'Esgrngon. — After his father dies, he marries Bousquier's niece with money but he treats his wife without thinking of her and spends time in Paris.
Story in short- Bousquier looks to bring the d'Esgrignon's group down with the unknown help of the young baron, Victurnean.
The quote below is from Marcel Proust's A Search for Lost Time, book 4; meaning a young man looking to bring down his family in some sort of disgrace.
"What, you are called Victurnien, after the "Cabinet des Antiques" Cities of the Plain"
I did not read this edition but from a collection of his works, which included the synopsis below.
"Le Cabinet des Antiques was initially published in 1839, continuing the story in La Vieille Fille, with several of the same characters reappearing. The novella concerns Maitre Chesnel, who was Rose’s notary in The Old Maid. At the time of the Revolution he was the faithful steward of the d’Esgrignons and saved much of their property by purchasing it in his own name. When the Marquis returned after the Revolution, he gave shelter to a Baron and his daughter, later marrying the daughter. "
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We find out Bousquier before marrying Rose had tried to marry Armande d'Esgrignon but her pride in her noble heredity made it clear that she would not lower herself, he was not a good guy to marry anyways. Bousquier never forgot this insult and tricked Rose into marrying him, deluding her in his reason. He looks to take down the d'Esgrignon's noble salon. Bousquier devises a plan to destroy the house by corrupting the son with gambling and other vices, with the help of a nephew, who encouraged that behavior. Chesnel warns Armande about the debts and behavior, his paying off the debts with his own money, to help this adopted "son". Victurnean never appreciated Chesnel and after he goes to Paris, disregards his advice. Emile Blondet, the writer, from Alencon who is not of noble blood, is disregarded by the young baron but in Paris, all has changed. His new friends look to help him ruin himself by not advising but letting him fall in the hands of a fickle married duchess. Victurnean turns to forgery to satisfy his mistress and planned to escape the country but the arrest is hurried along. All looks like Victurnean will be for the Hulks but Chesnel devoted counter planning stops this from happening but poverty comes to the house. Money becomes more important than rank, it brings Victurnean in marrying Bousquier's niece who he does not love and spends his time in Paris, when he can, shows how selfish he was in the beginning and until the very end.
I liked Chesnel, he did all for the family and did so because he loved them, as a servant loves his lord. He helps the d'Esgrignons, who left and all their property gone but Chesnel after helps buying back with his money. When Armante was proposed by Bousquier which Chesnel tried to help the family because of Bousquier's continual pestering, the Marquis and Armande did not forgive. Chesnel tried to help Victurnean but could not stop the youth from destruction and even goes to length to sell all he had and to tell Rose Bousquier to lie but it would not harm her husband, which it effected. Victurnean became more a scoundrel, and I disliked him more and more. Rose helping rise her in my eyes.
It was Victurnean who broke down Chesnel and thought of himself more than anyone, but at times I admit he did think of his family. Emile Blondet loves Mlle. dEsgrignon, he recalls the d'Esgrignon's salon. The royalist leave the province instead of being killed, their property removed and they come back much changed. Chesnel, a servant of the d'Esgrognon once mentioned to the marquis about a marriage proposal for his sister but she refused because the suitor was not of noble bood. She takes care of her brother's son, his wife died in childbirth. The marquis never forgave Chesnel for his mishap in the proposal. Victurnien is the marquis' son and Armande is his sister. Victurnien is ruining is family with his ways which take money that Chesnel pays without his father and aunt knowing; they can not see his wrongs and Chesnel is afraid to tell them. Bousquier looks to destroy the d'Esgrinon's by way of their son, Victurnien's friend is a plant. Marquis finds out from Valois that Chesnel has been giving Victurnien money to pay for all his escapades. He is angry and they decide to let the young boy to go to Paris. Chensel tells Armande that her nephew has been in trouble and that a friend of his is actually of the Bousquier camp, looking to ruin him. Chensel sends a letter to a friend to watch of the young noble. Victurnien goes to Paris and finds out that he is not for any position so he seeks pleasure. Chesnel's friend that was to help the young count; has died and his widow not reading sends it to his successor. Rastignac is a scoudral; I remember him causing trouble to his family. Diane de Maufrigneuse is married and has affairs which she traps men to pay for her, Victurnean is her latest and his supposed friends look for his downfall. Victurnean is surprised that Blondet, a fellow neighbor is able to go to these salons. The debts increase and Chensel's money diminish. Armande hears about Chesnel's loss from Victurnean; her fears of ruin of the family, she is off to Paris to bring him back. The young man was from the old maid; Athanase. Chesnsel and Armande have Victurnean stay at his house; he returns to Paris to get the notes and try to recover before arrest but he is too late. He sees Victurnean arrested and goes to Bousquier's house but sees it is too late and tries to get help from the magistrate. Emile Blondet history is told because Blondet wants his son, Joseph to marry a girl that du Roncerets wants his son, Fabien to marry. Blondet's wife died and his second son was not his but another man's child. Emilie, that child was cast off to end for his own in Paris. Camusot is the notary who took Chesnel's place, Chesnel looks to get him to Victurnean's side and Mme Camusot thinks that helping the young man would further her husband. The Duchess Maufrigneuse comes to help. Bousquier has planned to ruin Chesnel first by having him run through his money and sell the properties he bought to help the d'Esgrignons. Victurnean forged a check and does so after thinking the Duchess will leave the country with him. Maufrigneuse dresses as a young man to help Chesnel bring the Camusot to their side. Madame Camusot looks to leave Alencon and have her husband prosper in Paris. Chesnel has talked Rose to say the money was given before the arrest. He had the money given to him by the duchess, after he asked for his help to prevent Victurnean from prison, she takes all in account and disguised herself as a man to not call her to attention. Chesnel and Duchess help turn the tables to prevent Victurnean's trial which all was hidden from the Marquis. Camusot decided to go to the side of Victurnean. Bousquier is surprised especially about his wife and her not telling him of the money. Victurnean is free but his family is in poverty. The duchess encourages him to marry a rich womam, and nobility of the past is gone. When he cries for her love, she has turned cold because her love had gone when he became weak. Chesnel after the case is one, dies soon after and the marquis comes to his comfort not knowing all this servant has given for him. Chesnel's wife and son die, so the d'Esgrignon family is his love. Victurnean is bored and worthless because he does not rise himself. The liberals encourage Bousquier to bring the trial to higher court but it is unsuccesful. A duel between Bousquier and Victurnean has injured the young man and Bousquier's is unable to win a seat he wanted. The king does not help elevate the d'Esgrngon. — After his father dies, he marries Bousquier's niece with money but he treats his wife without thinking of her and spends time in Paris.
November 12, 2021
HONORÉ DE BALZAC-LE CABINET DES ANTIQUES
✒"L’HONNEUR, ce grand principe monarchique, planté dans tous les cœurs de cette famille comme un phare, éclairait les moindres actions, animait les moindres pensées des d’Esgrignon."
🛋Antikviteti na koje se naslov odnosi su pripadnici aristokratije koji u svom salonu u provincijskom gradiću okupljaju odabrano društvo
🛋Sve se dešava u vreme uspona buržoazije kad elita novca smenjuje elitu krvi
🛋Mladi grof koga odgajaju otac i tetka usedelica treba da osvetla obraz familiji i očuva čast i ugled imena koje nosi
🛋Seoski vetropir u Parizu tek dolazi do izražaja. Zapravo-zapada u dugove i dospeva u tamnicu.
🛋Spletke, izdaja, ljubav i uvek prepoznatljivi likovi Ljudske komedije
#7sensesofabook #bookstagram #classicliterature #literature #readingaddict #balzac
✒"L’HONNEUR, ce grand principe monarchique, planté dans tous les cœurs de cette famille comme un phare, éclairait les moindres actions, animait les moindres pensées des d’Esgrignon."
🛋Antikviteti na koje se naslov odnosi su pripadnici aristokratije koji u svom salonu u provincijskom gradiću okupljaju odabrano društvo
🛋Sve se dešava u vreme uspona buržoazije kad elita novca smenjuje elitu krvi
🛋Mladi grof koga odgajaju otac i tetka usedelica treba da osvetla obraz familiji i očuva čast i ugled imena koje nosi
🛋Seoski vetropir u Parizu tek dolazi do izražaja. Zapravo-zapada u dugove i dospeva u tamnicu.
🛋Spletke, izdaja, ljubav i uvek prepoznatljivi likovi Ljudske komedije
#7sensesofabook #bookstagram #classicliterature #literature #readingaddict #balzac
July 1, 2025
En la trigésimo séptima escena de "La comedia humana" Balzac nos presenta a un gabinete de los antiguos, que reúne a un grupo de nostálgicos de cuando la nobleza regía en Francia. Como afirma una de las protagonistas, tras los diferentes avatares del país tras la revolución, el imperio, la restauración... la nobleza ha abandonado a la nobleza y ha dado paso a la aristocracia, que no es más que el poder del dinero.
Ahí surge también un espíritu de clase, una izquierda que odia a esos nostálgicos, aunque en la novela de Balzac se trata más un espíritu vengativo que una auténtica defensa de los derechos de los menos privilegiados.
El escritor, por primera vez en sus novelas del ciclo, decide no mencionar el lugar donde transcurre la acción, afirmando que "tanto el nombre de la calle como el de la ciudad deben ser ocultados". De todos modos, por referencias a personajes de otros libros nos encontramos en alguna pequeña ciudad de provincias cercana a Alençon y, por tanto, no demasiado lejos de París.
De hecho, la trama pronto se mueve de ese gabinete que da título al libro hacia uno de los herederos de los D'Esgrignon, en realidad al único heredero que ya sólo cuenta con su padre y su tía. Ese heredero no entiende que el mundo ha cambiado y se va a París a vivir la buena vida, y a gastarse un dinero que no tiene, que en principio sale de las arcas de su familia, pero pronto comienza a salir del bolsillo de un notario, Chesnel, a quien no aprecian demasiado sus señores, pero que se comporta como un siervo feudal.
En ese choque de mundos vemos cómo se mueven los diferentes personajes para intentar conseguir sus objetivos, cambiando de principios éticos según interesa, fundamentalmente según interesa a sus cuentas, porque al fin y al cabo el dinero se convierte en el nuevo y único poder del mundo. Y así, hasta hoy.
Ahí surge también un espíritu de clase, una izquierda que odia a esos nostálgicos, aunque en la novela de Balzac se trata más un espíritu vengativo que una auténtica defensa de los derechos de los menos privilegiados.
El escritor, por primera vez en sus novelas del ciclo, decide no mencionar el lugar donde transcurre la acción, afirmando que "tanto el nombre de la calle como el de la ciudad deben ser ocultados". De todos modos, por referencias a personajes de otros libros nos encontramos en alguna pequeña ciudad de provincias cercana a Alençon y, por tanto, no demasiado lejos de París.
De hecho, la trama pronto se mueve de ese gabinete que da título al libro hacia uno de los herederos de los D'Esgrignon, en realidad al único heredero que ya sólo cuenta con su padre y su tía. Ese heredero no entiende que el mundo ha cambiado y se va a París a vivir la buena vida, y a gastarse un dinero que no tiene, que en principio sale de las arcas de su familia, pero pronto comienza a salir del bolsillo de un notario, Chesnel, a quien no aprecian demasiado sus señores, pero que se comporta como un siervo feudal.
En ese choque de mundos vemos cómo se mueven los diferentes personajes para intentar conseguir sus objetivos, cambiando de principios éticos según interesa, fundamentalmente según interesa a sus cuentas, porque al fin y al cabo el dinero se convierte en el nuevo y único poder del mundo. Y así, hasta hoy.
November 14, 2020
Das Antiquitätenkabinett gehört zusammen mit Der alten Jungfer zum Werk Die Nebenbuhler innerhalb der Menschlichen Komödie. Wobei lustigerweise einer der Protagonisten jetzt einen anderen Namen hat. Aus du Bousquier wurde du Croissier. Das ist dann aber schon fast das interesanteste an diesem kleinen Roman. Du Croissier ist unglücklich darüber dass er nicht dem Antiquitätenkabinett angehört (glaube ich), dem Kreis, den die einst berühmte Familie d’Esgrignon um sich zieht.
Der letzte d’Esgrignon, Victurnien, ist mal wieder ein Halodri. Spielt, macht Schulden, wird darum nach Paris geschickt, als würde er da nicht noch mehr Schulden machen. Lässt sich mit einer verheirateten Herzogin ein. Und fälscht schließlich eine Urkunde, als ihm die finanziellen Mittel ausgehen. So weit, so langweilig.
Der alte Notar Chesney versucht die Lage zu retten. Und jetzt wird es unübersichtlich, denn Balzac schildert nun in aller Ruhe die Richter, Nebenrichter, Untersuchungsrichter, Gerichtspräsidenten einschließlich der Möbel in deren Häusern. Wer hat welches Interesse daran, den jungen Mann zu verurteilen? Du Croissier ist natürlich der Betrogene und Kläger. Und natürlich hat er das ganze eingefädelt. Wobei - betrogen hat, immer noch, der junge Mann. Auch wenn er nicht wirklich die Unterschrift gefälscht hat. Aber das sind Details. Das Geld rückt die Herzogin, der er die Kohle anvertraut hatte, heraus, und der Notar übergibt es der Gattin, der alten Jungfer, des Klägers. Die soll nun vor Gericht behaupten, das Geld schon vorher bekommen zu haben und vergessen zu haben, das dem Gatten mitzuteilen. Eine freche Lüge. Sie erklärt sich, vorbehaltlich des Einverständnisses des Beichtvaters, dazu bereit. Denn, wem hilft die unnütze Rache? Schließlich gilt es am Schluß eine Nichte an eben den jungen d’Estrignon zu verkuppeln. Und genauso geschieht es. Die Herzogin, enttäuscht über die Schwäche des Geliebten, überlässt ihn seinem Schicksal.
So kurz zusammengefasst klingt das gar nicht so übel. Ist es aber eigentlich. Wenn man nicht durch die schöne Sprache und gelegentlichen Weisheiten entschädigt würde. So wie der Beobachtung, dass Frauen immer sagen: „habe ich doch gesagt“, auch dann wenn sie im Unrecht waren. In dem Fall aber, sagt Balzac, „nicht so sanft“.
Der letzte d’Esgrignon, Victurnien, ist mal wieder ein Halodri. Spielt, macht Schulden, wird darum nach Paris geschickt, als würde er da nicht noch mehr Schulden machen. Lässt sich mit einer verheirateten Herzogin ein. Und fälscht schließlich eine Urkunde, als ihm die finanziellen Mittel ausgehen. So weit, so langweilig.
Der alte Notar Chesney versucht die Lage zu retten. Und jetzt wird es unübersichtlich, denn Balzac schildert nun in aller Ruhe die Richter, Nebenrichter, Untersuchungsrichter, Gerichtspräsidenten einschließlich der Möbel in deren Häusern. Wer hat welches Interesse daran, den jungen Mann zu verurteilen? Du Croissier ist natürlich der Betrogene und Kläger. Und natürlich hat er das ganze eingefädelt. Wobei - betrogen hat, immer noch, der junge Mann. Auch wenn er nicht wirklich die Unterschrift gefälscht hat. Aber das sind Details. Das Geld rückt die Herzogin, der er die Kohle anvertraut hatte, heraus, und der Notar übergibt es der Gattin, der alten Jungfer, des Klägers. Die soll nun vor Gericht behaupten, das Geld schon vorher bekommen zu haben und vergessen zu haben, das dem Gatten mitzuteilen. Eine freche Lüge. Sie erklärt sich, vorbehaltlich des Einverständnisses des Beichtvaters, dazu bereit. Denn, wem hilft die unnütze Rache? Schließlich gilt es am Schluß eine Nichte an eben den jungen d’Estrignon zu verkuppeln. Und genauso geschieht es. Die Herzogin, enttäuscht über die Schwäche des Geliebten, überlässt ihn seinem Schicksal.
So kurz zusammengefasst klingt das gar nicht so übel. Ist es aber eigentlich. Wenn man nicht durch die schöne Sprache und gelegentlichen Weisheiten entschädigt würde. So wie der Beobachtung, dass Frauen immer sagen: „habe ich doch gesagt“, auch dann wenn sie im Unrecht waren. In dem Fall aber, sagt Balzac, „nicht so sanft“.
February 2, 2017
Publicado em 1837 faz parte da série "As Rivalidades", sendo considerada uma espécie de continuação de "A Solteirona". Houve troca dos nomes a fim de se preservar a identidade dos personagens (brincadeirinha do autor) mas fica óbvio se tratara das mesmas pessoas.
Aqui a rivalidade continua e Du Croisier (antes Du Bousquier) ainda quer se vingar dos nobres e aristocratas, dessa vez seu alvo é a família D'Esgrignon. O marquês D'Esgrignon já idoso casou-se com uma jovem que lhe deixou um filho, o belo e inútil Viturniano e é na figura do jovem que Cu Croisier vai se fixar para conseguir sua vingança.
O rapaz foi criado na província a leite de pera pela tia solteira e pelo pai idoso e nunca recebeu um não na vida. Acostumado a ter tudo e sem ter que fazer o mínimo esforço para consegui-lo, claro que algo vai dar errado na vida do mancebo. Ele se endivida todo, põe em risco o pouco dinheiro que resta de sua família e o que seus criadores acham? Que ele fez isso por estar entediado e não ter o que fazer numa cidadezinha tão pacata. Qual a solução? Mandá-lo para Paris com tudo pago. WTF!
O pior não é a situação em si mas como tudo é armado envolvendo até a Justiça de forma a se achar que o garoto é mesmo uma vítima de vilões maldosos que querem destruir a monarquia e a nobreza.
Pelo menos Balzac soube dar um final condizente...
Histórico de leitura
3% (11 de 320)
"Numa das menos importantes Prefeituras da França, no centro da cidade, na esquina de uma rua, fica uma casa. Mas o nome dessa rua e o dessa casa devem ficar em segredo."
Aqui a rivalidade continua e Du Croisier (antes Du Bousquier) ainda quer se vingar dos nobres e aristocratas, dessa vez seu alvo é a família D'Esgrignon. O marquês D'Esgrignon já idoso casou-se com uma jovem que lhe deixou um filho, o belo e inútil Viturniano e é na figura do jovem que Cu Croisier vai se fixar para conseguir sua vingança.
O rapaz foi criado na província a leite de pera pela tia solteira e pelo pai idoso e nunca recebeu um não na vida. Acostumado a ter tudo e sem ter que fazer o mínimo esforço para consegui-lo, claro que algo vai dar errado na vida do mancebo. Ele se endivida todo, põe em risco o pouco dinheiro que resta de sua família e o que seus criadores acham? Que ele fez isso por estar entediado e não ter o que fazer numa cidadezinha tão pacata. Qual a solução? Mandá-lo para Paris com tudo pago. WTF!
O pior não é a situação em si mas como tudo é armado envolvendo até a Justiça de forma a se achar que o garoto é mesmo uma vítima de vilões maldosos que querem destruir a monarquia e a nobreza.
Pelo menos Balzac soube dar um final condizente...
Histórico de leitura
3% (11 de 320)
"Numa das menos importantes Prefeituras da França, no centro da cidade, na esquina de uma rua, fica uma casa. Mas o nome dessa rua e o dessa casa devem ficar em segredo."
September 5, 2014
SPOILER ALERT: this isn’t a review, it’s a summary so that I can keep track of the plots and characters in La Comedie Humaine.
Charles Marie Victor Ange Carol, a.k.a. Marquis d'Esgrignon. is an aristocrat of the old school, a gentleman whose family suffered under the Terror but who never compromised his views and remained loyal to the estate for which he felt responsible. He had to go into hiding for a while, however, but during this period Mlle. Armande d'Esgrignon, his half-sister was able to save some of his estate under a technicality, and his loyal steward and notary Chesnel was able to buy other portions using money sent to him by the Marquis in exile.
However, by the time the Marquis returns much of his land had been sold off or damaged, and the castle is in ruins. Again with Chesnel’s help a house is bought in town, jocularly christened Hotel d'Esgrignon. and in time it becomes a refuge for returning émigrés. These include the Baron de Nouastre and his 22-year-old daughter, but the old baron dies before long and so the Marquis marries her to preserve the aristocratic bloodlines. Alas, she dies in childbirth, leaving a son bearing the name of Victurnien d'Esgrignon, the bereft Marquis, and Armande, now aged 27 – and very beautiful.
In town, Du Croisier (who was called Du Bousquier in my edition of The Old Maid) sees his chance, and asks Chesnel to propose on his behalf. The proposal is swiftly rejected as unworthy by the indignant aristocrat, and Du Crosier blames Chesnel for his rejection.
Chesnel considers himself one of the family, and before long he sets the town against Du Croisier, provoking Du Croisier’s bitter hatred for Chesnel. Desperate to make an advantageous marriage he makes a hasty proposal to Demoiselle Rose Cormon, who featured in The Old Maid. She knocks him back too.
Armande then has another proposal, this time from M. de la Roche-Guyon, the oldest son of an ancient family, but she refuses that as well because she considers herself mother to Victurnien. (Why these roles are mutually exclusive is not clear to me). Anyway it is Armande’s selflessness that finally enables the old Marquis to accept his half-sister as a proper member of the d'Esgrignon family – previously he had considered her ‘not of the blood’ because her mother (a second wife to their mutual father) was only the daughter of a tax-collector ennobled by Louis XIV.
***
It is at this point that Balzac introduces Emile Blondet as the narrator of the story. He says he knew Armande when he was a child, and he provides the usual images of Balzac’s Ideal Woman on a Pedestal, telling the reader that
Every princess and fairy of my visions, as I read the Arabian Nights, looked and walked like Mlle. d'Esgrignon. …
The wonderful calm of her face, the suppressed passion in it, the dignity of her movements, the saintly life of duties fulfilled,--all this touched and awed me.
However, we are warned that this woman is not entirely perfect:
Keep this portrait in mind; it is a faithful picture and sketch of character. Mlle. d'Esgrignon is one of the most instructive figures in this story; she affords an example of the mischief that may be done by the purest goodness for lack of intelligence.
***
Balzac (for once) then provides a succinct summary of the state of affairs in this confusing period of French history:
Two-thirds of the emigres returned to France during 1804 and 1805, and almost every exile from the Marquis d'Esgrignon's province came back to the land of his fathers. There were certainly defections. Men of good birth entered the service of Napoleon, and went into the army or held places at the Imperial court, and others made alliances with the upstart families. All those who cast in their lots with the Empire retrieved their fortunes and recovered their estates, thanks to the Emperor's munificence; and these for the most part went to Paris and stayed there. But some eight or nine families still remained true to the proscribed noblesse and loyal to the fallen monarchy. The La Roche-Guyons, Nouastres, Verneuils, Casterans, Troisvilles, and the rest were some of them rich, some of them poor; but money, more or less, scarcely counted for anything among them. They took an antiquarian view of themselves; for them the age and preservation of the pedigree was the one all-important matter; precisely as, for an amateur, the weight of metal in a coin is a small matter in comparison with clean lettering, a flawless stamp, and high antiquity. Of these families, the Marquis d'Esgrignon was the acknowledged head. …
For these people, His Majesty, Emperor and King, was never anything but "M. de Bonaparte"; there "the King" meant Louis XVIII., then at Mittau. These differences of political opinion that in Paris were theoretical were taken personally in the provinces and there are bitter feuds. For Du Croisier and other Republicans, the old guard are a laughing stock, an aristocratic oasis which nobody might enter without proof of irreproachable descent. Unfortunately for them, the Marquis d'Esgrignon's salon was still thought to be the best society in town, for all that the Republicans rudely nicknamed them ‘The Collection of Antiquities’.
Time passes, the fortunes of Napoleon and the monarchy go up and down, but by the time of the Restoration the fortunes of the d'Esgrignons have not improved. But Du Croisier’s fortunes have, because (as we know from reading The Old Maid) Rose Cormon accepted him in the end and this makes him rich. Aided and abetted by the President of the Tribunal, M. du Ronceret, a little country squire not worthy of admittance to the d'Esgrignon Salon, Du Croisier’s salon rises in importance, and its younger members are more dynamic than the fossilised Collection of Antiquities…
Du Croisier, still nursing his grievances, perceives that revenge can be had on Victurnien. Despite chesnel’s best efforts to enlighten him as to realities, the old Marquis is still cherishing his fanciful ideas about his fortunes being restored, and no expense or indulgence has been spared on the boy who will fulfil their dreams. He will go to court, he will be a favourite, and he will marry wealth. So Victurnien is spoilt rotten by everyone, (including the Old Chevalier who had been a suitor of Rose Corman too).
All through his happy childhood and golden youth, Victurnien had never met with opposition to his wishes. He had been the king of the house; no one curbed the little prince's will; and naturally he grew up insolent and audacious, selfish as a prince, self-willed as the most high-spirited cardinal of the Middle Ages,-- defects of character which any one might guess from his qualities, essentially those of the noble.
Victurnien behaves badly. Chesnel has to find, from the straitened family purse, money for aggrieved young women and money to hush up offences involving abducted minors. He is imprudent with his political opinions and he is cavalier about what he considers bourgeois justice, antagonising the town and adding fuel to Du Crosier’s fire. In no time Victurnien’s lawsuits and extravagances have squandered 80,000 livres of Chesnel’s savings, money that was intended to set the boy up at court. It is the Chevalier who breaks this news to the Marquis, who is horrified that it is Chesnel who has got Victurnien out of these scrapes, and with no realistic plan for how to achieve it, they decide that he must be despatched to court at once.
Of course it’s a fatal mistake. Before long, between women, gambling, and general carousing with reprobates Balzac has used in other stories such as Rastignac, Victurnien goes through the money he had thought was a princely sum. Mme. de Maufrigneuse (who thinks he has money) has him hooked in no time:
he was chained and padlocked from the first hour in her company, bound captive by that girlish sash, and caught by the curls twined round fairy fingers. Far corrupted the boy was already, but he really believed in that farrago of maidenliness and muslin, in sweet looks as much studied as an Act of Parliament.
But of course it turns out that she has massive debts too, and quelle horreur! Victurnien borrows money from – of all people – Du Crosier. When the bills fall due Du Crosier goes in triumph round to Chesnel and forces the sale of his property so that the poor old fellow has nothing left but his practice, his house and the money owing to him (which of course he will never see). And not a word of this is told to the Marquis d'Esgrignon … it is Armande who must go to Paris and bring him home before he ruins them all.
Meanwhile the debts are rising, and so it is that Victurnien proposes flight to somewhere like Venice with Mme. de Maufrigneuse, and he uses Du Crosier’s signature on a fake bill to get the money together. At the last minute she defaults, and the delay is just enough time for Du Crosier to realise that he at last has Victurnien’s fate in his hands. Armande rescues him just in time to prevent arrest, he fearing that they’re after him for forgery and she fearing that it’s for his debts.
Armande hides him at Chesnel’s, who is aghast when Victurnien confesses the forgery. He travels to Paris, persuades Mme. de Maufrigneuse to hand back the money, and sets off for home again, only to find the gendarmes have already arrested Victurnien. Du Crosier is already counting his chickens when Chesnel arrives to beg for mercy, and he lets the poor old man think all will be well until he asks for something to which the Marquis will never agree: the marriage of the young Counc Victurnien to his grand-niece, Mlle. Duval. Smug in his triumph he goes off to bed, leaving his wife Rose and Chesnel together…
Chesnel is a marvel: he persuades Rose to make a deposition to the effect that the money was repaid five days beforehand, and then he negotiates all kinds of semi-respectable preferments for the various lawyers and judges so that the case is thrown out of court. The strain of it all kills him, and the old Marquis not long afterwards.
And Victurnien? His career goes nowhere until he marries Du Crosier’s niece and her money….
Charles Marie Victor Ange Carol, a.k.a. Marquis d'Esgrignon. is an aristocrat of the old school, a gentleman whose family suffered under the Terror but who never compromised his views and remained loyal to the estate for which he felt responsible. He had to go into hiding for a while, however, but during this period Mlle. Armande d'Esgrignon, his half-sister was able to save some of his estate under a technicality, and his loyal steward and notary Chesnel was able to buy other portions using money sent to him by the Marquis in exile.
However, by the time the Marquis returns much of his land had been sold off or damaged, and the castle is in ruins. Again with Chesnel’s help a house is bought in town, jocularly christened Hotel d'Esgrignon. and in time it becomes a refuge for returning émigrés. These include the Baron de Nouastre and his 22-year-old daughter, but the old baron dies before long and so the Marquis marries her to preserve the aristocratic bloodlines. Alas, she dies in childbirth, leaving a son bearing the name of Victurnien d'Esgrignon, the bereft Marquis, and Armande, now aged 27 – and very beautiful.
In town, Du Croisier (who was called Du Bousquier in my edition of The Old Maid) sees his chance, and asks Chesnel to propose on his behalf. The proposal is swiftly rejected as unworthy by the indignant aristocrat, and Du Crosier blames Chesnel for his rejection.
Chesnel considers himself one of the family, and before long he sets the town against Du Croisier, provoking Du Croisier’s bitter hatred for Chesnel. Desperate to make an advantageous marriage he makes a hasty proposal to Demoiselle Rose Cormon, who featured in The Old Maid. She knocks him back too.
Armande then has another proposal, this time from M. de la Roche-Guyon, the oldest son of an ancient family, but she refuses that as well because she considers herself mother to Victurnien. (Why these roles are mutually exclusive is not clear to me). Anyway it is Armande’s selflessness that finally enables the old Marquis to accept his half-sister as a proper member of the d'Esgrignon family – previously he had considered her ‘not of the blood’ because her mother (a second wife to their mutual father) was only the daughter of a tax-collector ennobled by Louis XIV.
***
It is at this point that Balzac introduces Emile Blondet as the narrator of the story. He says he knew Armande when he was a child, and he provides the usual images of Balzac’s Ideal Woman on a Pedestal, telling the reader that
Every princess and fairy of my visions, as I read the Arabian Nights, looked and walked like Mlle. d'Esgrignon. …
The wonderful calm of her face, the suppressed passion in it, the dignity of her movements, the saintly life of duties fulfilled,--all this touched and awed me.
However, we are warned that this woman is not entirely perfect:
Keep this portrait in mind; it is a faithful picture and sketch of character. Mlle. d'Esgrignon is one of the most instructive figures in this story; she affords an example of the mischief that may be done by the purest goodness for lack of intelligence.
***
Balzac (for once) then provides a succinct summary of the state of affairs in this confusing period of French history:
Two-thirds of the emigres returned to France during 1804 and 1805, and almost every exile from the Marquis d'Esgrignon's province came back to the land of his fathers. There were certainly defections. Men of good birth entered the service of Napoleon, and went into the army or held places at the Imperial court, and others made alliances with the upstart families. All those who cast in their lots with the Empire retrieved their fortunes and recovered their estates, thanks to the Emperor's munificence; and these for the most part went to Paris and stayed there. But some eight or nine families still remained true to the proscribed noblesse and loyal to the fallen monarchy. The La Roche-Guyons, Nouastres, Verneuils, Casterans, Troisvilles, and the rest were some of them rich, some of them poor; but money, more or less, scarcely counted for anything among them. They took an antiquarian view of themselves; for them the age and preservation of the pedigree was the one all-important matter; precisely as, for an amateur, the weight of metal in a coin is a small matter in comparison with clean lettering, a flawless stamp, and high antiquity. Of these families, the Marquis d'Esgrignon was the acknowledged head. …
For these people, His Majesty, Emperor and King, was never anything but "M. de Bonaparte"; there "the King" meant Louis XVIII., then at Mittau. These differences of political opinion that in Paris were theoretical were taken personally in the provinces and there are bitter feuds. For Du Croisier and other Republicans, the old guard are a laughing stock, an aristocratic oasis which nobody might enter without proof of irreproachable descent. Unfortunately for them, the Marquis d'Esgrignon's salon was still thought to be the best society in town, for all that the Republicans rudely nicknamed them ‘The Collection of Antiquities’.
Time passes, the fortunes of Napoleon and the monarchy go up and down, but by the time of the Restoration the fortunes of the d'Esgrignons have not improved. But Du Croisier’s fortunes have, because (as we know from reading The Old Maid) Rose Cormon accepted him in the end and this makes him rich. Aided and abetted by the President of the Tribunal, M. du Ronceret, a little country squire not worthy of admittance to the d'Esgrignon Salon, Du Croisier’s salon rises in importance, and its younger members are more dynamic than the fossilised Collection of Antiquities…
Du Croisier, still nursing his grievances, perceives that revenge can be had on Victurnien. Despite chesnel’s best efforts to enlighten him as to realities, the old Marquis is still cherishing his fanciful ideas about his fortunes being restored, and no expense or indulgence has been spared on the boy who will fulfil their dreams. He will go to court, he will be a favourite, and he will marry wealth. So Victurnien is spoilt rotten by everyone, (including the Old Chevalier who had been a suitor of Rose Corman too).
All through his happy childhood and golden youth, Victurnien had never met with opposition to his wishes. He had been the king of the house; no one curbed the little prince's will; and naturally he grew up insolent and audacious, selfish as a prince, self-willed as the most high-spirited cardinal of the Middle Ages,-- defects of character which any one might guess from his qualities, essentially those of the noble.
Victurnien behaves badly. Chesnel has to find, from the straitened family purse, money for aggrieved young women and money to hush up offences involving abducted minors. He is imprudent with his political opinions and he is cavalier about what he considers bourgeois justice, antagonising the town and adding fuel to Du Crosier’s fire. In no time Victurnien’s lawsuits and extravagances have squandered 80,000 livres of Chesnel’s savings, money that was intended to set the boy up at court. It is the Chevalier who breaks this news to the Marquis, who is horrified that it is Chesnel who has got Victurnien out of these scrapes, and with no realistic plan for how to achieve it, they decide that he must be despatched to court at once.
Of course it’s a fatal mistake. Before long, between women, gambling, and general carousing with reprobates Balzac has used in other stories such as Rastignac, Victurnien goes through the money he had thought was a princely sum. Mme. de Maufrigneuse (who thinks he has money) has him hooked in no time:
he was chained and padlocked from the first hour in her company, bound captive by that girlish sash, and caught by the curls twined round fairy fingers. Far corrupted the boy was already, but he really believed in that farrago of maidenliness and muslin, in sweet looks as much studied as an Act of Parliament.
But of course it turns out that she has massive debts too, and quelle horreur! Victurnien borrows money from – of all people – Du Crosier. When the bills fall due Du Crosier goes in triumph round to Chesnel and forces the sale of his property so that the poor old fellow has nothing left but his practice, his house and the money owing to him (which of course he will never see). And not a word of this is told to the Marquis d'Esgrignon … it is Armande who must go to Paris and bring him home before he ruins them all.
Meanwhile the debts are rising, and so it is that Victurnien proposes flight to somewhere like Venice with Mme. de Maufrigneuse, and he uses Du Crosier’s signature on a fake bill to get the money together. At the last minute she defaults, and the delay is just enough time for Du Crosier to realise that he at last has Victurnien’s fate in his hands. Armande rescues him just in time to prevent arrest, he fearing that they’re after him for forgery and she fearing that it’s for his debts.
Armande hides him at Chesnel’s, who is aghast when Victurnien confesses the forgery. He travels to Paris, persuades Mme. de Maufrigneuse to hand back the money, and sets off for home again, only to find the gendarmes have already arrested Victurnien. Du Crosier is already counting his chickens when Chesnel arrives to beg for mercy, and he lets the poor old man think all will be well until he asks for something to which the Marquis will never agree: the marriage of the young Counc Victurnien to his grand-niece, Mlle. Duval. Smug in his triumph he goes off to bed, leaving his wife Rose and Chesnel together…
Chesnel is a marvel: he persuades Rose to make a deposition to the effect that the money was repaid five days beforehand, and then he negotiates all kinds of semi-respectable preferments for the various lawyers and judges so that the case is thrown out of court. The strain of it all kills him, and the old Marquis not long afterwards.
And Victurnien? His career goes nowhere until he marries Du Crosier’s niece and her money….
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 25, 2018
The second book of Les rivalités, this was not just related in subject matter to La vieille fille, but was actually a sort of sequel, continuing the same story about the same people, although oddly the names of the two most important rivals was changed -- the de Gordes family becomes the des Esgrignons, and Du Bousquier becomes Du Croisier. The political background is more explicit in this book, which contains an economic analysis of the ultra-monarchists, represented by the des Esgrignons; the main theme is the refusal of this element to compromise with or even understand the new conditions of bourgeois France, and the consequent financial irresponsibility of the young count who is brought up to consider himself entitled to live a noble lifestyle without any kind of occupation, a view which Du Croisier uses to entrap him in debts. Perhaps because it is a sequel, the action begins sooner and there is more of it than in the first novel, so it is somewhat more interesting to read. I found it impossible, though, to sympathize with the aristocratic characters Balzac obviously intends the reader to sympathize with -- idle, useless, egotistical, only interested in their own pleasures. The hero of the book, the notary Chesnel, is presented as heroic and self-sacrificing because he is totally subservient to the des Esgrignons, the perfect symbol of domestic service (Balzac himself is aware that many readers will not see that as a positive trait, because his praises of Chesnel seem rather apolegetic). Actually, he is responsible for the tragic outcome of the count by serving as an "enabler", covering up his faults and paying his debts so long as his small fortune allows. The liberal villains, on the other hand, are shown, probably rightly, as hypocrites and venial; Du Croisier began as a Republican when he could profit from the Republic, then switched to monarchism when that was more profitable, and becomes a liberal constitutionalist when his social climbing is rebuffed by the des Esgrignons. Thereafter, he devotes himself to vengeance against the family under the cover of politics. After reading this, I understood a little more about what the first book was trying to do, but I still can't understand why critics consider it one of his best novels.
April 5, 2025
나폴레옹 시대가 지나가고 왕정으로 돌아왔을때 시대의 흐름으로 몰락해 가던 프랑스 시골의 대귀족 d'esgrignon집안. 늙은 후작은 쓰러져가는 가난한 가문을 일으키기위해 여동생 mlle. armande와 함께 의논해 가진 돈을 다 모아 외아들 victurnean을 파리로 보내서 돈많은 귀족 아가씨와 결혼시키려한다. 철없는 귀족 도련님은 방탕하고 화려한 파리 사교계 생활을 즐기고 궁정에서 잘나가는 diane de maufrigneuse 백작부인의 애인이 된다. 이 귀족총각은 돈은 흥청망청 다쓰고 빚도 져서 파산에 이른다. d'esgrignon 집안의 충복인 공증인 chesnel이 본인의 개인 재산까지 다 털어 보냈지만 소용 없고 d'esgrgnon집안에 적의를 품고 있던 그 동네의 부루조아 bousquier가 청년에게 어음을 빌려주어 옭아매서 감옥에 보내려한다.
읽어볼만한 책인 이유:
- 찐 귀족 vs 부르조아
- French province의 법조인들, 부르조아들 밑 상류층 politics
- Chesnel (옛날에나 존재하던) 주인을 자신보다 더 소중히 하는 충복
- 술술 읽히는 발자크의 재미있는 이야기 보따리. 이분은 인간 연구자?
- 1800년대나 지금이나 인간들의 이야기는 항상 똑같은것 같다. 당연한 얘기지만 읽을때마다 놀란다. 인간 군상들의 반복성.
읽어볼만한 책인 이유:
- 찐 귀족 vs 부르조아
- French province의 법조인들, 부르조아들 밑 상류층 politics
- Chesnel (옛날에나 존재하던) 주인을 자신보다 더 소중히 하는 충복
- 술술 읽히는 발자크의 재미있는 이야기 보따리. 이분은 인간 연구자?
- 1800년대나 지금이나 인간들의 이야기는 항상 똑같은것 같다. 당연한 얘기지만 읽을때마다 놀란다. 인간 군상들의 반복성.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 1, 2022
It’s money that matters in the Restoration. An ancient and impoverished noble family is threatened when the favored son goes wild in Paris. Machinations ensue. How Balzac keeps the lineages of family and debt straight is beyond me! Anyway, the family is saved because it does the King and nobility no good if an ancient family is brought low even if they are guilty of forgery and indebtedness. Nonetheless, the bourgeoisie has triumphed and old families need to learn the new rules.
Read
December 28, 2022“The Cabinet of Antiquities” is a companion piece to Balzac’s slightly less interesting “An Old Maid,” and the title refers not to an object but to a bevy of traditionalists doomed to be displaced by a bevy of rising younger folks. Money is a main concern, as always with Balzac, and there’s a hefty amount of romantic and political intriguing as well, along with the great writer’s usual quantities of exposition and description. In all, not one of his most gripping achievements.
December 15, 2024
I should explain this better but for now: This is a sort of continuation of An Old Maid but in a slightly different vein written a few years later. The former mostly comedic but with a tragic ending, this one, a quaint, sad, beginning view with increasing tension, then becomes a 'happier' ending. Together, like a spring, they form a clear view into Balzac's conception of the provinces which, after all, is most places. Most are littler towns after all.
May 29, 2025
نسخهای که من از این رمان بالزاک خواندم، نرجمهای بود از موسی فرهنگ در دهه سی. نمیدانم مترجم چقدر به متن اصلی پایبند بوده اما کتاب لحن موعظهگری داشت که در خلال داستان اذیتکننده بود. انتظار توصیفات بیشتری داشتم و تصویرسازیهایی که مجالس اشرافی را بیشتر به ذهن نزدیک کند. نبود یا کم بود.
برای کاری این کتاب را خواندم و بهره چندانی از آن نبردم.
برای کاری این کتاب را خواندم و بهره چندانی از آن نبردم.
March 29, 2025
Le roman de Balzac est excellent et raconte la chute d'une noblesse ancienne et désargentée, ruinée par la révolution et les frasques du jeune comte. Tout changer pour que rien ne change, c'est peut-être la devise de cette histoire.
October 21, 2019
Belle étude de mœurs comme sait le faire Balzac. Et l'on s'aperçoit que le temps n'a pas pris une ride... je l'ai relu avec délice 20 ans après.
Citations
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Citations
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March 23, 2024
Creo que esta es una historia de lealtad, principalmente, por lo menos eso rescato yo. Todos necesitamos un Chesnel en nuestras vidas.
January 25, 2025
Balzac est toujours d’une férocité sanglante quand il dépeint les évolution sociales d’une aristocratie qui ne comprend pas que son temps est terminé.
June 1, 2025
victurnien m’a foutu un de ces stress purée
August 28, 2025
깨진 컵을 다시 붙일 수는 없다.
November 17, 2025
Was this a soap opera? Yes. Did it captivate me from the very beginning? Yes. It did get a little muddled and hard to follow towards the end.
October 22, 2024
I didn't exactly intend to read this book right away. It's second volume of the two books about provincial rivalries, the first being La Vieille fille (The Old Maid), but I got started on it and decided to finish it. It's the last item in the study of provincial mores, and, perhaps, even more cynical and condescending about provincial life than the earlier ones.
There are only two good characters in the novel, both improbably good: the maiden aunt of the spoiled, self-centered, and immoral young nobleman, more or less the protagonist, and the devoted notary who heroically strives to save the protagonist from himself.
Everyone else is conniving or out of touch with reality.
The final episode of the novel involves a plot so complex you need a diagram to follow it, concerning a legal proceeding within the legal system of Restoration France.
Certainly Baudelaire's insight is confirmed here. The characters are insanely driven by their emotions. Ironically, the stakes are small and provincial, but the game is intense.
Balzac's characters live in a debased world, where money rules the day. That's what makes him a modern author.
There are only two good characters in the novel, both improbably good: the maiden aunt of the spoiled, self-centered, and immoral young nobleman, more or less the protagonist, and the devoted notary who heroically strives to save the protagonist from himself.
Everyone else is conniving or out of touch with reality.
The final episode of the novel involves a plot so complex you need a diagram to follow it, concerning a legal proceeding within the legal system of Restoration France.
Certainly Baudelaire's insight is confirmed here. The characters are insanely driven by their emotions. Ironically, the stakes are small and provincial, but the game is intense.
Balzac's characters live in a debased world, where money rules the day. That's what makes him a modern author.
March 6, 2016
Je me suis parfois perdue dans les personnages (qui sont les juges, sous-juge, juge substitut, président, etc.) et les faits reprochés (c'était aussi mon problème quant aux questions d'argent dans Eugénie Grandet), et ma méconnaissance des détails historiques et politiques de cette période m'a aussi nui, je crois. À certains endroits il y avait tellement de notes pour expliquer qui est untel que j'ai préféré abandonner et me contenter de l'histoire.
Bref, plusieurs choses m'ont frustrée dans ce récit, mais ça reste un bon récit sur les relations entre nobles et bourgeois après la Révolution, et ce sont surtout les personnages qui sont intéressants.
Bref, plusieurs choses m'ont frustrée dans ce récit, mais ça reste un bon récit sur les relations entre nobles et bourgeois après la Révolution, et ce sont surtout les personnages qui sont intéressants.
April 6, 2009
A pleasant surprise. Most of Balzac's best work has been re-translated recently by Penguin, Oxford, or other publishers; but for this gem, you have to go back to the 1890s and early 1900s when Ellen Marriage and Katharine Prescott Wormeley were the only games in town.
This short novel is one of the set of two known as JEALOUSIES OF A COUNTRY TOWN (the other member of which is AN OLD MAID, also worth reading) tells of the youthful indiscretions of a scion of a provincial noble family and how his irresponsibility comes close to destroying his family. There are some nice scenes in Paris, especially with the delightful Duchesse de Maufrigneuse.
This short novel is one of the set of two known as JEALOUSIES OF A COUNTRY TOWN (the other member of which is AN OLD MAID, also worth reading) tells of the youthful indiscretions of a scion of a provincial noble family and how his irresponsibility comes close to destroying his family. There are some nice scenes in Paris, especially with the delightful Duchesse de Maufrigneuse.
Read
July 29, 2011The plot was not his best, but old Honore's characterizations in this short work are sublime.
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