The Human Comedy, Vol. II: The Purse and Modeste Mignon

by Honoré de Balzac, Clara Bell (Translator), R.J. Allinson (Editor)

"The innocence of a girl is like milk which is turned by a thunder-clap, by an evil smell, by a hot day, or even by a breath." The chance meeting of a renowned painter and a mysterious girl blossoms into love, but when their ensuing courtship is marred by the disappearance of a purse full of money, their newfound happiness threatens to unravel . . . To the north of Paris in the port city of Le Havre, a drama of love and deception unfolds when the last and fiercely guarded daughter of a once prosperous family falls in love with the verses of a famous poet―but is this great man of letters with whom she enters into an impassioned correspondence really the person she believes him to be? The theme of reality versus illusion, particularly in matters of love, dominates the two works of this second volume of Balzac's magnum opus. La Comédie Humaine , left unfinished at the time of Balzac's death, is a vast literary work comprising nearly one hundred short stories, novellas, and novels set in the aftermath of the Napoleonic Wars during the Bourbon Restoration and the July Monarchy. Throughout, Balzac utilizes nineteenth-century French society to examine humanity and the human experience with all its attendant virtues, vices, and peculiarities. Honoré de Balzac (1799-1850) was one of France's most prolific and influential writers, and is generally considered to be one of the first and greatest of the literary realists. In his lifetime, he tried and failed at a number of professions, including that of legal clerk, printer, publisher, and as a businessman who engaged in a number of abortive ventures. These experiences, as well as numerous affairs with admiring ladies―many of them from the nobility―and an unsuccessful run for public office, provided him with a wealth of material for his writing, in which he was able to create some of the most memorable characters in French literature.

372 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1844

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

[Philip · Rating 4 out of 5]

The old familiar story: young French noblewoman reads too many books, and under their heady influence gets herself into serious romantic trouble; which, by her own cunning and a little help from the resident hunchback, she escapes happily.

[Roman Kurys · Rating 4 out of 5]

Balzac really is a captivating writer, I will definitely be reading next parts of Comedie Humane. Both The Purse and Modeste Mignon are great compositions. Trick, as with lots of classics is to approach this book with lots of patience and a dictionary. And also do not expect fast paced ride.

This is more of a slow paced, very descriptive but also a really good book. It is very interesting to learn about life in France during Balzac times and see what the social norms were back then. By far beats reading a history book for me and u get a nice story to top it off.

Took 1 star away for the difficulty of reading this and needing to constantly look up words meaning, other then that, definitely a recommended book!

Roman