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La Comédie Humaine #13
The Imaginary Mistress
Honoré de Balzac (1799-1850) was a nineteenth-century French novelist and playwright. His Magnum Opus was a sequence of almost 100 novels and plays collectively entitled La Comédie Humaine, which presents a panorama of French life in the years after the fall of Napoléon Bonaparte in 1815. Due to his keen observation of detail and unfiltered representation of society, Balzac is regarded as one of the founders of realism in European literature. He is renowned for his multi-faceted characters; even his lesser characters are complex, morally ambiguous and fully human. Inanimate objects are imbued with character as well; the city of Paris, a backdrop for much of his writing, takes on many human qualities. His writing influenced many famous authors, including the novelists Marcel Proust, Émile Zola, Charles Dickens, Gustave Flaubert, Marie Corelli, Henry James and Jack Kerouac, as well as important philosophers such as Friedrich Engels. Many of Balzac's works have been made into films, and they continue to inspire other writers.
62 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1841
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547 people want to read
About the author
Honoré de Balzac
9,564 books4,385 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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June 29, 2022How far can devotion and loyalty in friendship go ? Le Chat would say that to get rid of a pain, you create yourself another and even greater pain. Here, a red herring that would mislead yourself, just like Chaplin in The Gold Rush, where he's starving, and eats his boot, imagining a delicious steak.
September 24, 2016
This is a very short story (less than half-an-hour to read it) about a Polish count who comes to Paris as an emigre. He is the loyal friend of another Polish emigre who has managed to bring his fortune with him and so he makes himself useful by managing his friend's business and financial affairs - because Paris (as Balzac is forever telling us) soon makes short thrift of all but the most prudent of men, and Count Adam with his fondness for gaming tables is not prudent.
Count Paz, who styles himself Captain Paz because he has no fortune anymore, has made himself subservient to his friend because he has fallen hopelessly in love with Adam's wife Clementine. For her sake he keeps himself apart, contenting himself merely with glimpses from afar. His lowly station means they have little contact and she barely notices him.
However one day Clementine taxes her husband with her curiosity about this mysterious Paz who keeps intervening in their affairs and when all is revealed she demands that he be included in their company as an equal.
Because Paz thinks momentarily that she fancies him (because he's tall and gorgeous and Count Adam is not) he invents a love interest for himself, to deflect her interest and make her despise him. He sets up a circus-rider called Malaga as his mistress, but (much to Malaga's consternation) never acts towards her as a lover. It has the desired effect: Clementine is peeved, but cordiality is restored when Paz nurses Adam back to health when he is gravely ill. (Too late he realises that by making Clementine despise him because of Malaga, he has cruelled his pitch forever, even if Adam dies).
Clementine's renewed gratitude makes things really difficult so after this he decides to make everyone in Paris think he's dead. He tells everyone that he's gone off to fight in Russia, taking some of Adam's money wwith him (though he redeems this by having generated a vast profit for Adam at the firm of Nucingen's bank). It is not for quite some time that another Polish emigre sees him out and about and realises that he is not dead after all.
As usual Balzac's women are jealous, foolish and ego-driven, and society is frivolous and snobbish. But his point is valid: how can a man of honour live in close proximity to the one he loves, if she be the wife of his best friend? This is the moral issue that lies at the heart of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, and all its heirs and successors in literature today.
Count Paz, who styles himself Captain Paz because he has no fortune anymore, has made himself subservient to his friend because he has fallen hopelessly in love with Adam's wife Clementine. For her sake he keeps himself apart, contenting himself merely with glimpses from afar. His lowly station means they have little contact and she barely notices him.
However one day Clementine taxes her husband with her curiosity about this mysterious Paz who keeps intervening in their affairs and when all is revealed she demands that he be included in their company as an equal.
Because Paz thinks momentarily that she fancies him (because he's tall and gorgeous and Count Adam is not) he invents a love interest for himself, to deflect her interest and make her despise him. He sets up a circus-rider called Malaga as his mistress, but (much to Malaga's consternation) never acts towards her as a lover. It has the desired effect: Clementine is peeved, but cordiality is restored when Paz nurses Adam back to health when he is gravely ill. (Too late he realises that by making Clementine despise him because of Malaga, he has cruelled his pitch forever, even if Adam dies).
Clementine's renewed gratitude makes things really difficult so after this he decides to make everyone in Paris think he's dead. He tells everyone that he's gone off to fight in Russia, taking some of Adam's money wwith him (though he redeems this by having generated a vast profit for Adam at the firm of Nucingen's bank). It is not for quite some time that another Polish emigre sees him out and about and realises that he is not dead after all.
As usual Balzac's women are jealous, foolish and ego-driven, and society is frivolous and snobbish. But his point is valid: how can a man of honour live in close proximity to the one he loves, if she be the wife of his best friend? This is the moral issue that lies at the heart of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, and all its heirs and successors in literature today.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 17, 2019
LA FALSA AMANTE _HONORÉ DE BALZAC
Ediciones invisibles
El matrimonio formado por Clementine de Rouvre, bella heredera parisina y el conde polaco en el exilio Adam Mitgislas, un noble tan feo como elegante, vive momentos de éxito y bienestar. Sin embargo, la buena administración del patrimonio conyugal se debe al mejor amigo de su marido, Tadeusz Paz, un atractivo aristócrata polaco. Tadeusz está enamorado secretamente de Clementine pero como no quiere traicionar a su mejor amigo ni herir los sentimientos de ella, decide inventarse una falsa amante para justificar su fingida indiferencia ante Clementine.
.
Esta es la sinopsis del libro y todo lo que podemos decir sobre el argumento.
Tan corto como delicioso, se lee en nada y menos y te queda con una sonrisa y con ganas de leer más de Balzac, yo no había leído nada y pensé que sería denso y tedioso, que equivocada estaba, es maravilloso, me ha encantado.
Me ha gustado como nada más empezar nos introduce de forma fascinante y amena en la época con los datos justos y necesarios para poder entender todo.
Me han gustado las descripciones maravillosas y nada pesadas de la sociedad francesa de la época.
Me ha gustado la descripción de la personalidad de los protagonistas y de sus sentimientos.
Me han gustado las anotaciones a pie de página, nada extensas, que nos explican mejor algunos datos.
Me ha gustado saber que este libro fue escrito durante un periodo de difíciles relaciones con Madame Hanska como un alegato para describir la necesidad de una falsa amante para ocultar el amor verdadero
Me ha gustado el título de la colección Pequeños Placeres, digo yo que el nombre será por la brevedad de las obras porque el placer al ver la edición y al leerla no es pequeño es grandisimo.
Ediciones invisibles
El matrimonio formado por Clementine de Rouvre, bella heredera parisina y el conde polaco en el exilio Adam Mitgislas, un noble tan feo como elegante, vive momentos de éxito y bienestar. Sin embargo, la buena administración del patrimonio conyugal se debe al mejor amigo de su marido, Tadeusz Paz, un atractivo aristócrata polaco. Tadeusz está enamorado secretamente de Clementine pero como no quiere traicionar a su mejor amigo ni herir los sentimientos de ella, decide inventarse una falsa amante para justificar su fingida indiferencia ante Clementine.
.
Esta es la sinopsis del libro y todo lo que podemos decir sobre el argumento.
Tan corto como delicioso, se lee en nada y menos y te queda con una sonrisa y con ganas de leer más de Balzac, yo no había leído nada y pensé que sería denso y tedioso, que equivocada estaba, es maravilloso, me ha encantado.
Me ha gustado como nada más empezar nos introduce de forma fascinante y amena en la época con los datos justos y necesarios para poder entender todo.
Me han gustado las descripciones maravillosas y nada pesadas de la sociedad francesa de la época.
Me ha gustado la descripción de la personalidad de los protagonistas y de sus sentimientos.
Me han gustado las anotaciones a pie de página, nada extensas, que nos explican mejor algunos datos.
Me ha gustado saber que este libro fue escrito durante un periodo de difíciles relaciones con Madame Hanska como un alegato para describir la necesidad de una falsa amante para ocultar el amor verdadero
Me ha gustado el título de la colección Pequeños Placeres, digo yo que el nombre será por la brevedad de las obras porque el placer al ver la edición y al leerla no es pequeño es grandisimo.
September 3, 2019
Novelle um eine seltsamen Männerfreundschaft und eine idelle Ménage à trois. Die weibliche Hauptperson gibt als lukrative hochadelige Versuchung für Savinien ein Gastspiel in Ursula Mirouet. Gleich mehrere Parteien, darunter auch die adelsstolze Mutter wollen, dass der junge Vicomte mit dem riesigen Schuldenberg die mittellose Waise Ursula Mirouet im Stich lässt, die nach dem Raub des Testaments ihres Onkels und einer Rufmordkampagne seitens ihrer Verwandtschaft schwer unter Beschuss steht. Von daher rührte mein Interesse an dieser Kuriosität, die qualitativ nicht zum Besten gehört, immerhin aber Saviniens Standhaftigkeit als richtige Entscheidung bestätigt, die wunderschöne und hochmusikalische Blondine Ursule ist sicher die bessere Wahl als die adelige Millionenerbin. die zu Beginn der Erzählung von Nichts keine Ahnung hat und immer ein konventionelles Dutzendmädchen bleiben wird. Immerhin gehören die Saviniens wie die Laginskis im weiteren Verlauf des Zyklus zum selben Freundeskreis der positiv besetzten Adeligen.
Die Geschichte selbst handelt von einer seltsamen Dreiecksbeziehung, in deren Verlauf sich der bessere Mann bei der Dame des Hauses unbeliebt macht, um seinem besten Freund und Lebensretter nicht die Frau wegzunehmen. Paz ist ein echter Teufelskerl, der sein eigenes Lebens- oder Liebesglück dem Anschmachten einer Frau widmet, die er beim ersten Anschein von Entgegenkommen abschrecken muss. Diese seltsam abwegige Kombination aus Freundschaft und versagtem Verlangen ist sehr distanziert beschrieben, die Unmittelbarkeit der Romane der Glanzzeit stellt sich nicht ein.
Die Geschichte selbst handelt von einer seltsamen Dreiecksbeziehung, in deren Verlauf sich der bessere Mann bei der Dame des Hauses unbeliebt macht, um seinem besten Freund und Lebensretter nicht die Frau wegzunehmen. Paz ist ein echter Teufelskerl, der sein eigenes Lebens- oder Liebesglück dem Anschmachten einer Frau widmet, die er beim ersten Anschein von Entgegenkommen abschrecken muss. Diese seltsam abwegige Kombination aus Freundschaft und versagtem Verlangen ist sehr distanziert beschrieben, die Unmittelbarkeit der Romane der Glanzzeit stellt sich nicht ein.
April 21, 2013
Un grande resta grande anche nelle prove minori
Un Balzac minore nel contesto grandioso della Comédie humaine. In questo breve racconto mancano infatti quasi del tutto quegli elementi corali e di spietata critica sociale che costituiscono la cifra e sono la base della potenza della costruzione balzacchiana.
Il racconto è senza dubbio gradevole e, al solito, i personaggi sono molto ben caratterizzati, soprattutto i due protagonisti Clémentine du Rouvre e Thaddée Paz. Quest'ultimo rientra a pieno titolo nella schiera dei grandi personaggi drammatici di Balzac, anche se il finale posticcio – che ci informa l'introduzione essere stato scritto da Balzac in un secondo tempo, per ragioni “commerciali” - annacqua il tragico destino cui si era autocondannato.
Ne La falsa amante manca Parigi, mancano i repentini cambi d'atmosfera e di tono, manca il rumore di fondo, i borborigmi delle diverse classi sociali; forse perché questo è un racconto scritto da Balzac con l'urgenza di rispondere al successo che alcuni concorrenti, in particolare Eugène Sue, stavano riscuotendo, usando le loro stesse armi. Tuttavia egli usa quelle armi rimanendo fino in fondo Balzac nel modo sublime di tratteggiare in poche pagine un ambiente, un complesso di relazioni e la psicologia di ciascun personaggio.
January 19, 2016
Masterful short, short-story from Balzac. A captain falls in love with his best friends wife, but in order to repel her he invents a mistress. The story raises the question of whether deep, passionate love can really be hidden. Because in one sense, Captain Paz is trying to hide his love of her from her but he also wants her to know that he is hiding this love from her.
"How inexplicable Parisian women are! When they are loved to madness they want to be loved reasonably: and when they are loved reasonably they reproach a man for not loving them at all."
"How inexplicable Parisian women are! When they are loved to madness they want to be loved reasonably: and when they are loved reasonably they reproach a man for not loving them at all."
December 20, 2010
During his short and frenetic life, Balzac could at times be a chameleon, tossing off works that were uncharacteristic of him, but by no means inferior to the standard classics for which we know him. For many years, he loved the Polish Countess Eveline Hanska (and eventually married her just months before he died). This is one of several of his works that was by way of a valentine to his love (Another is The Wrong Side of Paris). This novelette is about a young Parisian woman of fashion who marries a Polish Count, one Adam Laginsky. There is nothing quite so spectacular about this Laginski as his friend Paz. Acting as his steward and general factotum, Paz takes charge of Laginsky's life, his investments, his horses, his real estate -- and does it brilliantly. Why does he do this? While they were fleeing Poland after it was engulfed by Russia, Laginsky saved Paz's life twice; so Paz took it upon himself to live quietly in his friend's shadow, helping him in every way he could.
This particular story has something of the myth of Pandora's Box in it: The Countess Laginska suddenly becomes curious about this man Paz. It seems, you see, that Paz is actually in love with his friend's wife; but he wants no pary in breaking up the relationship. He does the one thing for which the Countess could not forgive him: He takes up with a circus rider named Malaga who is too infra dig for a Parisian woman of fashion to tolerate. How Paz maneuvers his way through this minefield makes this one of Balzac's few great comedies. But, alas, my lips are sealed.
This particular story has something of the myth of Pandora's Box in it: The Countess Laginska suddenly becomes curious about this man Paz. It seems, you see, that Paz is actually in love with his friend's wife; but he wants no pary in breaking up the relationship. He does the one thing for which the Countess could not forgive him: He takes up with a circus rider named Malaga who is too infra dig for a Parisian woman of fashion to tolerate. How Paz maneuvers his way through this minefield makes this one of Balzac's few great comedies. But, alas, my lips are sealed.
July 29, 2016
The English version can be found at Gutenberg Project.
The original French text at La Bibliothèque électronique du Québec.
And the audio version in French at Literature audio.com.
The original French text at La Bibliothèque électronique du Québec.
And the audio version in French at Literature audio.com.
October 13, 2022
Libro cortito muy buen editado, y que se lee en dos ratitos . Esta muy bien.
“Nada se parece más al amor divino que el amor sin esperanza “.
.
“Me parece sencillo como todo lo que es verdaderamente grande .”
“Nada se parece más al amor divino que el amor sin esperanza “.
.
“Me parece sencillo como todo lo que es verdaderamente grande .”
June 25, 2021
I absolutely love Balzac's stories and so far this is my favorite!!💖 Why? Because for a hopeless romantic, it speaks of unselfish love to one not aware of all the love given to them by another and that to me is true love. I notice as I read on this series, that characters are mentioned from the past, though briefly they tie into the current story which makes this even more interesting. I am hoping that we find out more about Clementine, Adam and Paz in future stories.
The friendship of Adam and Paz has developed during their war years and their camaraderie after saving a life bonds these two men. I also learned a little bit more about the French and Polish connections during the French Revolution and after by reading his story and looking on the web.
I did not read this edition, as I am reading from a collection of his works but liked this cover art.
Story in short- Clementine marries a well off Polish immigrant and their lifestyle is lavish; and are prevented from ruin with the help of a friend who creates a story of a mistress to keep family harmony.
A synopsis from my Delphi collection below-
"La Fausse Maîtresse is an 1843 novella that parodies French society in the period of the Restoration and the July Monarchy (1815-1848). The plot is subtle and complex, introducing the character Clemintine, who is a descendent of rich and noble families. Her wealth has been dissipated and so she has married Count Laginski, a prosperous Polish immigrant. They are a happy couple well established in an attractive house. Clementine discovers that Adam has a friend, who is acting as steward and general manager, a handsome young man who has kept in the background. Adam and Thaddee had served together in the army and were close friends, although Thaddee was poor, but very capable. He was devoted to Adam, and had volunteered to look after Adam’s affairs since he was worried that Adam and his wife would dissipate their fortune."
💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢SPOILER ALERT💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢
I loved Paz and his love for his friend Adam; which his love for his friend's wife was really tested. He stayed in the background loving her from afar but she brings a change when she learns more about him and all he has done for the couple. He sees that she might love him and knows that he must pretend a romance but make it seem real, so he befriends a girl from the circus. Clementine starts to get jealous and mad at Paz for looking like a heel in this affair which is tawdry. Paz in saving Adam's life where he could have not worked so hard in helping him recovering from his illness. I loved how this ended with years later Paz who was to be serving in the Russian military is keeping an eye on his love and prevents her from a Clarissa/Robert Lovelace situation and Clementine realizing her true love saved her from ruin and she longs to see him again but he is gone. I am hoping that Paz finally gets his Clementine. Oh, Adam is okay but he has cheated on his wife and not the perfect husband, she knows Paz loves her too late after he left the couple! Drama, yes!💖
I loved this and want Paz and Clementine to find love but many in future stories they will. Clementine marries an ex Polish gentleman named Adam. She has money from her mom's side of the family and his mother has helped him too. After marriage and world travel, the couple returns home and she asks about his mysterious friend Paz who she believes does not exist. Adam tells about saving his friend who is an Italian noble that family immigrate to Poland years ago. They have a close friendship but Paz is not interested in society whereas Adam likes it. Paz has saved his friend, Adam from ruin. Paz has loved Clementine since he first saw her and was happy that they were away from home. He stays because they both will be ruined without his help. He sees that she might live him so he makes up his mistress as the circle girl and to make it seem real in case Clementine looks to see her; he says she reminds him of his daughter and gives her a nicer place to stay and money. He just comes to ill and she wonders about him after finding out he is not a father and she rejects him but soon after poverty comes writes a letter to him for help. Clementine is upset that Paz has no honor with this Mayala and wishes him to leave which he says he will after she learns the finances but he lies about the circus performer. Adam is sick and Paz thinks of him not recovering and talks to Clementine who is bitter towards him. He looks to go into the Russian army and writes a letter to Clementine about his love and he is leaving. Adam tells her that Is a never was with the Mayala but a letter from Paz to Adam, warns about Mayala. Adam recovers because of Paz. Paz leaves and Clementine wonders about him and knows that he is around after he saved her from going into a friend's carriage which has a rogue to grab her. She knows the saver is Paz. She wants to see him!
The friendship of Adam and Paz has developed during their war years and their camaraderie after saving a life bonds these two men. I also learned a little bit more about the French and Polish connections during the French Revolution and after by reading his story and looking on the web.
I did not read this edition, as I am reading from a collection of his works but liked this cover art.
Story in short- Clementine marries a well off Polish immigrant and their lifestyle is lavish; and are prevented from ruin with the help of a friend who creates a story of a mistress to keep family harmony.
A synopsis from my Delphi collection below-
"La Fausse Maîtresse is an 1843 novella that parodies French society in the period of the Restoration and the July Monarchy (1815-1848). The plot is subtle and complex, introducing the character Clemintine, who is a descendent of rich and noble families. Her wealth has been dissipated and so she has married Count Laginski, a prosperous Polish immigrant. They are a happy couple well established in an attractive house. Clementine discovers that Adam has a friend, who is acting as steward and general manager, a handsome young man who has kept in the background. Adam and Thaddee had served together in the army and were close friends, although Thaddee was poor, but very capable. He was devoted to Adam, and had volunteered to look after Adam’s affairs since he was worried that Adam and his wife would dissipate their fortune."
💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢SPOILER ALERT💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢
I loved Paz and his love for his friend Adam; which his love for his friend's wife was really tested. He stayed in the background loving her from afar but she brings a change when she learns more about him and all he has done for the couple. He sees that she might love him and knows that he must pretend a romance but make it seem real, so he befriends a girl from the circus. Clementine starts to get jealous and mad at Paz for looking like a heel in this affair which is tawdry. Paz in saving Adam's life where he could have not worked so hard in helping him recovering from his illness. I loved how this ended with years later Paz who was to be serving in the Russian military is keeping an eye on his love and prevents her from a Clarissa/Robert Lovelace situation and Clementine realizing her true love saved her from ruin and she longs to see him again but he is gone. I am hoping that Paz finally gets his Clementine. Oh, Adam is okay but he has cheated on his wife and not the perfect husband, she knows Paz loves her too late after he left the couple! Drama, yes!💖
I loved this and want Paz and Clementine to find love but many in future stories they will. Clementine marries an ex Polish gentleman named Adam. She has money from her mom's side of the family and his mother has helped him too. After marriage and world travel, the couple returns home and she asks about his mysterious friend Paz who she believes does not exist. Adam tells about saving his friend who is an Italian noble that family immigrate to Poland years ago. They have a close friendship but Paz is not interested in society whereas Adam likes it. Paz has saved his friend, Adam from ruin. Paz has loved Clementine since he first saw her and was happy that they were away from home. He stays because they both will be ruined without his help. He sees that she might live him so he makes up his mistress as the circle girl and to make it seem real in case Clementine looks to see her; he says she reminds him of his daughter and gives her a nicer place to stay and money. He just comes to ill and she wonders about him after finding out he is not a father and she rejects him but soon after poverty comes writes a letter to him for help. Clementine is upset that Paz has no honor with this Mayala and wishes him to leave which he says he will after she learns the finances but he lies about the circus performer. Adam is sick and Paz thinks of him not recovering and talks to Clementine who is bitter towards him. He looks to go into the Russian army and writes a letter to Clementine about his love and he is leaving. Adam tells her that Is a never was with the Mayala but a letter from Paz to Adam, warns about Mayala. Adam recovers because of Paz. Paz leaves and Clementine wonders about him and knows that he is around after he saved her from going into a friend's carriage which has a rogue to grab her. She knows the saver is Paz. She wants to see him!
January 1, 2021
Hoy día 1 de enero he puesto rumbo a París y he paseado por los Campos Elíseos, las Tullerías...leyendo este pequeño placer.
Clementine du Rouvre, una joven bella y heredera parisina se casa con un noble feo pero elegante, Adam Mitgislas. Sin embargo, un día descubre Clementine que la buena administración de su patrimonio se debe al mejor amigo de su marido, Tadeusz Paz.
Paz es un joven aristocrático polaco muy atractivo que está secretamente enamorado de la esposa de su amigo y hará lo imposible para justificar la indiferencia fingida que tiene hacia Clementine y no dañar así los sentimientos de Adam ni de ella. Así pues, se inventará una falsa amante.
Es la primera vez que leo a Balzac y me ha sorprendido para bien ya que ha sido un gustazo leer esta maravillosa obra aunque yo esperaba más y con un desenlace un poco bastante triste. Aún así leedla porque no os dejará indiferentes.
🧐Esta obra forma parte de su gran obra "La comedia Humana", en concreto, a la primera parta titulada "Escenas de la vida privada". Balzac escribió este alegato sobre la necesidad de una "falsa amante" para ocultar el amor verdadero durante un período de difíciles relaciones con Madame Hanska.
Clementine du Rouvre, una joven bella y heredera parisina se casa con un noble feo pero elegante, Adam Mitgislas. Sin embargo, un día descubre Clementine que la buena administración de su patrimonio se debe al mejor amigo de su marido, Tadeusz Paz.
Paz es un joven aristocrático polaco muy atractivo que está secretamente enamorado de la esposa de su amigo y hará lo imposible para justificar la indiferencia fingida que tiene hacia Clementine y no dañar así los sentimientos de Adam ni de ella. Así pues, se inventará una falsa amante.
Es la primera vez que leo a Balzac y me ha sorprendido para bien ya que ha sido un gustazo leer esta maravillosa obra aunque yo esperaba más y con un desenlace un poco bastante triste. Aún así leedla porque no os dejará indiferentes.
🧐Esta obra forma parte de su gran obra "La comedia Humana", en concreto, a la primera parta titulada "Escenas de la vida privada". Balzac escribió este alegato sobre la necesidad de una "falsa amante" para ocultar el amor verdadero durante un período de difíciles relaciones con Madame Hanska.
June 7, 2017
This novella was written mid-career. It appears among his "Scenes from Private Life." Two men, friends for life, fall in love with the same woman. It is typical Balzacian, an ending of sadness and irony.
Having read the Zweig biography earlier this month, I could picture him at his desk, writing in the middle of the night. I wondered how much editing he did on this after it had been typeset, as he did with all of his works, over and over. My wondering was not because I thought it needed more editing, but because it is good, so that I wondered how much of the first draft made it to the final. I suspect it is a question I'll have for awhile.
Having read the Zweig biography earlier this month, I could picture him at his desk, writing in the middle of the night. I wondered how much editing he did on this after it had been typeset, as he did with all of his works, over and over. My wondering was not because I thought it needed more editing, but because it is good, so that I wondered how much of the first draft made it to the final. I suspect it is a question I'll have for awhile.
January 4, 2023
La quinta novela de "La Comedia Humana" tiene un argumento propio de una película de Hollywood (realmente lo hemos visto en muchas películas): Un joven, en este caso un noble polaco, se casa con una joven, en este caso una adinerada parisina. Al joven le acompaña un amigo que está enamorado, en secreto, de la mujer de su colega, y además hará lo posible porque ella jamás sospeche de ese amor, incluso inventarse una amante imaginaria.
Si en "La bolsa" la acción transcurre prácticamente en un bloque de viviendas donde se conocen los enamorados, aquí Balzac abre el horizonte y nos lleva a un casoplón donde se reciben visitas de lo más encopetadas, sin dejar además de hacer unas cuantas visitas a los espectáculos que tiene que ofrecer la ciudad de París.
La grandeza de esta novela estriba, en gran parte, en sus diálogos, sobre todo los que están llenos de tensión, en los que el joven enamorado debe disimular delante de la mujer que adora, y por la que besa (literalmente) los suelos por donde pisa.
Si en "La bolsa" la acción transcurre prácticamente en un bloque de viviendas donde se conocen los enamorados, aquí Balzac abre el horizonte y nos lleva a un casoplón donde se reciben visitas de lo más encopetadas, sin dejar además de hacer unas cuantas visitas a los espectáculos que tiene que ofrecer la ciudad de París.
La grandeza de esta novela estriba, en gran parte, en sus diálogos, sobre todo los que están llenos de tensión, en los que el joven enamorado debe disimular delante de la mujer que adora, y por la que besa (literalmente) los suelos por donde pisa.
July 16, 2020
I think that the alternate title for this short story/novella - "The False Mistress" (or sometimes "The Imaginary Mistress") - is better both in terms of the story and in terms of translation from the original French La Fausse Maitresse.
This story deals with two close friends, Poles in exile living in France, one of whom, Adam, Count Laginski, marries Clemetine, a French noblewoman. The other friend, Paz,
I liked the way Paz dealt with the situation & the way he saw through both Adam & Clementine without losing his affection for them.
This story deals with two close friends, Poles in exile living in France, one of whom, Adam, Count Laginski, marries Clemetine, a French noblewoman. The other friend, Paz,
I liked the way Paz dealt with the situation & the way he saw through both Adam & Clementine without losing his affection for them.
December 4, 2025
this little capsule of concentrated longing! my heart aches. in some ways reminiscent of the tragedy of the guinevere-lancelot-arthur triangle, which i will always adore when executed with the preservation of the tragic element.
to be honest i was also very glad to see how clementine views marriage. i have had similar thoughts; i may actually still think the same. but all this to say i understand her motives for clinging to adam deeply
to be honest i was also very glad to see how clementine views marriage. i have had similar thoughts; i may actually still think the same. but all this to say i understand her motives for clinging to adam deeply
March 16, 2025
Court et redoutablement efficace. Du bon Balzac.
December 30, 2014
Pelo prefácio tomamos conhecimento que nessa novela Balzac faz uma espécie de homenagem a um nobre polonês, primo de sua amada Eveline Hanska que foi preterido por ela.
Tadeu é um nobre polonês expatriado em Paris que tem uma grande dívida moral com seu grande amigo Adão, casado com Clementina e por que acaba se apaixonando. Isso gera um grande conflito moral que faz com que Tadeu tome atitudes extremas. Com extremas quero dizer exageradas, inverossímeis e descabidas.
Paulo Rónai resumiu bem em poucas palavras: "se a virtude fosse tão complicada, quem não preferiria o vício?".
Histórico de leitura
23% (22 de 97)
"Depois de ter dado mais do que possui, o amor acaba dando menos do que recebe."
9% (9 de 97)
"No mês de setembro de 1835, uma das mais ricas herdeiras do Faubourg Saint-Germain, a srta. du Rouvre, filha única do marquês du Rouvre, desposou o conde Adão Mitigislas Laginski, jovem polonês proscrito."
Tadeu é um nobre polonês expatriado em Paris que tem uma grande dívida moral com seu grande amigo Adão, casado com Clementina e por que acaba se apaixonando. Isso gera um grande conflito moral que faz com que Tadeu tome atitudes extremas. Com extremas quero dizer exageradas, inverossímeis e descabidas.
Paulo Rónai resumiu bem em poucas palavras: "se a virtude fosse tão complicada, quem não preferiria o vício?".
Histórico de leitura
23% (22 de 97)
"Depois de ter dado mais do que possui, o amor acaba dando menos do que recebe."
9% (9 de 97)
"No mês de setembro de 1835, uma das mais ricas herdeiras do Faubourg Saint-Germain, a srta. du Rouvre, filha única do marquês du Rouvre, desposou o conde Adão Mitigislas Laginski, jovem polonês proscrito."
September 6, 2012
It's a rather short story with a lot of changes in the character of the characters. However, due to its short length, those changes happend to fast and I was not really attentive to what was going on. I think it's worth another reading.
December 9, 2013
Imprescindible este cuento de Balzac, por divertido, ingenioso y revelador. No es una obra menor. Deliciosa su lectura, imprevisible y redondo su final.
May 11, 2014
I'm getting a bit fedup with these society nothings and Balzac's casual misogyny.
September 19, 2016
19º dia do Mês da leitura mágica.
19ª leitura concluída ;)
19ª leitura concluída ;)
April 28, 2025
Thaddée Paz, emigrierter Pole und bester Freund von Adam Laginski liebt über alle Maßen dessen Ehefrau Clémentine. Vermutend, dass Clémentine in der Ehe schwach werden wird, erfindet er eine ‚falsche‘ Geliebte. Diese ist Kunstreiterin und kann ihr Glück der finanziellen Unterstützung kaum fassen, wundert sich aber, dass Paz nicht die geringsten Anzeichen körperlicher Anziehung zeigt. Um Clementine auf Abstand zu sich zu halten, setzt er sich selbst in ein schlechtes Licht- kommuniziert fade in Gesellschaft und spielt die große Liebe gegenüber der Kunstreiterin vor.
Als Zeuge eines Glücks, das ihm nicht gehört, empfindet er eine geheime Freude, das glänzende, glückliche Leben des jungen Paares zu sehen, für das er sich geopfert hat. Er hat seinen eigenen Anteil am Glück seines Freundes: Er macht sich zum Verwalter, zum Buchhalter, zum Diener dieser Familie. Er lebt durch diese beiden Wesen, die ihm am Herzen liegen. Trotz seiner Hingabe an das Paar und an seinen sterbenden Freund wird Thaddée, der sich bei Gräfin Clémentine Laginska so sehr diskreditiert hat, seine Wertschätzung nicht wiedererlangen können. Er muss das Hotel Laginska verlassen, aber ohne Clementines Wissen weiterhin über sie wachen und sie aus einer Falle retten, die darauf abzielt, sie durch den Grafen von Palférine zu verführen. Clémentine hofft, Thaddée wiederzusehen... ihr Herz öffnet sich.
Sehr sehr schwer zu lesen für mich. Bis es einmal losgeht mit der Handlung, dauert es einige Zeit. Erst einmal geht es lange um polnische Emigranten in Frankreich. Ich gibt es im Handlungsverlauf immer wieder Abschweifungen. Aber alleine schon die Ausführungen des Erzählers zu den Konsonanten im Polnischen lohnten für mich die Lektüre.
Als Zeuge eines Glücks, das ihm nicht gehört, empfindet er eine geheime Freude, das glänzende, glückliche Leben des jungen Paares zu sehen, für das er sich geopfert hat. Er hat seinen eigenen Anteil am Glück seines Freundes: Er macht sich zum Verwalter, zum Buchhalter, zum Diener dieser Familie. Er lebt durch diese beiden Wesen, die ihm am Herzen liegen. Trotz seiner Hingabe an das Paar und an seinen sterbenden Freund wird Thaddée, der sich bei Gräfin Clémentine Laginska so sehr diskreditiert hat, seine Wertschätzung nicht wiedererlangen können. Er muss das Hotel Laginska verlassen, aber ohne Clementines Wissen weiterhin über sie wachen und sie aus einer Falle retten, die darauf abzielt, sie durch den Grafen von Palférine zu verführen. Clémentine hofft, Thaddée wiederzusehen... ihr Herz öffnet sich.
Sehr sehr schwer zu lesen für mich. Bis es einmal losgeht mit der Handlung, dauert es einige Zeit. Erst einmal geht es lange um polnische Emigranten in Frankreich. Ich gibt es im Handlungsverlauf immer wieder Abschweifungen. Aber alleine schon die Ausführungen des Erzählers zu den Konsonanten im Polnischen lohnten für mich die Lektüre.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 7, 2025
Un court roman sur un triangle amoureux qui n’en est pas un. Thaddée Paz, ancien capitaine polonais aime Clémentine, la femme de son meilleur ami, Adam, comte polonais en exil qu’il a sauvé durant la guerre et qui lui voue une amitié sans faille. Pour se protéger de cet amour, il s’invente une maitresse, Malaga, écuyère dans un cirque et se prend les pieds dans le tapis.
Un début un peu laborieux ( Balzac et ses interminables disgressions) avant de plonger dans le cœur du récit. Très romanesque, un roman qu’on qualifierait probablement aujourd’hui de bromance si Thaddée n’était pas si aveuglé par la beauté de Clémentine, bourgeoise parisienne qui n’ouvrira les yeux que trop tardivement.
Même si je reste admirative de la plume de l’auteur, j’ai du mal à y adhérer et ce nouvel essai ne fait que confirmer ma première impression.
Un début un peu laborieux ( Balzac et ses interminables disgressions) avant de plonger dans le cœur du récit. Très romanesque, un roman qu’on qualifierait probablement aujourd’hui de bromance si Thaddée n’était pas si aveuglé par la beauté de Clémentine, bourgeoise parisienne qui n’ouvrira les yeux que trop tardivement.
Même si je reste admirative de la plume de l’auteur, j’ai du mal à y adhérer et ce nouvel essai ne fait que confirmer ma première impression.
April 14, 2020
A totally impossible plot but presented with Balzacian self-confidence. This is one of the novellas included in Scences de la vie privee (scenes of private life), the first part of La Comedie humaine. Balzac loves to describe dwellings, people, clothing, etc. Sometimes (most of the time) he goes completely overboard. You have to read it in the spirit of good fun. The 2 male protagonists are Polish aristocrats exiled in Paris, giving Balzac a chance to make a few standard anti-Semitic remarks. But you don't read Balzac to agree with him! I'm reading a novel by Murakami now, to get away from both England and 19th century Paris - but I'll be back to the latter soon enough.
May 5, 2025
Thadée Paz aime Clémentine, qui est mariée à Adam. Thadée avait sauvé Adam lors d’une bataille pendant la guerre de Pologne.
Pour ne pas gêner les tourtereaux, il se déclare amoureux de Malaga, une écuyère.
Le roi de Pologne Stanislas II Poniatovski est souvent mentionné.
J’ai aimé l’amitié indéfectible entre les deux hommes ; l’amour contrarié de Thadée pour Clémentine qui n’y voit goutte.
Une citation : … l’aspect des fortifications des consonnes par lesquelles la langue slave protège ses voyelles, sans doute afin de ne pas les perdre, vu leur petit nombre.
https://www.alexmotamots.fr/la-comedi...
Pour ne pas gêner les tourtereaux, il se déclare amoureux de Malaga, une écuyère.
Le roi de Pologne Stanislas II Poniatovski est souvent mentionné.
J’ai aimé l’amitié indéfectible entre les deux hommes ; l’amour contrarié de Thadée pour Clémentine qui n’y voit goutte.
Une citation : … l’aspect des fortifications des consonnes par lesquelles la langue slave protège ses voyelles, sans doute afin de ne pas les perdre, vu leur petit nombre.
https://www.alexmotamots.fr/la-comedi...
December 11, 2017
Polnischer Mann,Tadeusz Paz, liebt die Frau seines Freundes. Als die nun die Gefühle zu erwidern droht, erfindet er eine falsche Geliebte, eine Zirkusreiterin. Für die sogar eine Wohnung unterhalten wird, obwohl so nichts zwischen ihnen ist. Echte Männerfreundschaft, dann erkrankt dieser Freund und Gatte der geliebten Frau. Er ist so gut wie hinüber und am Horizont winkt das Glück, aber Tadeusz, von schlechtem Gewissen getrieben, pflegt Freund gegen alle Wahrscheinlichkeit gesund. Er schreibt ihr noch einen Brief, seine Liebe gestehend und zieht dann ab, in den Krieg oder so. (5/10)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 18, 2022
En esta novela corta encontramos el puro estilo de Balzac, un relato realista de la sociedad parisina del siglo XIX. En este caso toda la historia versa entre las vidas de tres protagonistas, pero como suele hacer el autor, durante toda la novela irá nombrando a diferentes personalidades de la época y quizás ese sea uno de los puntos que la hace tan realista.
Es sorprendente la capacidad del ser humano para generar artificios, cómo por diferentes motivos no siempre mostramos nuestros sentimientos y somos capaces de crear una falsedad por aquello que creemos es un bien mayor. A pesar de que esta historia está ambientada en otra época creo que en la sociedad actual seguimos creando falsas excusas para no enfrentarnos a mostrar nuestros sentimientos.
Es sorprendente la capacidad del ser humano para generar artificios, cómo por diferentes motivos no siempre mostramos nuestros sentimientos y somos capaces de crear una falsedad por aquello que creemos es un bien mayor. A pesar de que esta historia está ambientada en otra época creo que en la sociedad actual seguimos creando falsas excusas para no enfrentarnos a mostrar nuestros sentimientos.
January 5, 2025
Es la primera vez que leo a Balzac y me ha resultado… decepcionante. 2,5⭐️ porque la premisa de la novela es interesante y porque, well, la carta del final es fantástica (he estado a punto de darle 3⭐️ solo por la carta), pero la obra me ha parecido mal estructurada y extremadamente misógina: el primer capítulo es el autor despotricando de cosas que no tienen nada que ver con la trama y los personajes femeninos son frívolos y por lo general bastante estúpidos. Qué pena.
January 10, 2021
Given that this is one his stories of hopeless romantic love I would have expected to lose patience with the characters, but I found this genuinely moving and sad for all concerned. It may be my favourite Balzac yet, and I've read most of them.
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