A Harlot High and Low discussion

I started reading this book of Balzac's. I've read other books by Balzac; Lost Illusions is even one of my favorite books. But, as soon as I started reading this book, something felt off, with the writing and the style. The dialogue feels really artificial and stilted, and certain phrases seem really strange. Even the way the chapters are arranged seems odd and archaic. I think it has something to do with the translation, which is by Rayner Heppenstall, Penguin Classic Edition. I didn't have this issue with any other books by Balzac, just this book. Can anyone shed any light on this?

Josh, I can only speculate that since Balzac was often criticized for a certain lack of elegance in style, that perhaps the translator tried to inject a verbal clumsiness into the text to indicate such. What a disservice. I hope this doesn't keep you from finding another translation that suits your ear better.

Oh no! In the interest of making a suggestion of translator for you, I just looked at my dogeared copy of Harlot, which I devoured perhaps ten years ago and it was translated by Heppenstall! I have to say I wasn't put off by the text.

My earlier advice abides, though. Find another translator. As you loved Lost Illusions, it would be criminal if you did not continue the story of the fatefully ambitious Lucien. The Baron Nucingen parts alone are worth the read. . .

I'm right there with you. Something's off. I've read Old Goriot and Lost Illusions, both by different translators, and they both read pretty similarly. This one felt…different. Right from the beginning. I've got a Kindle version that is a different translation, but I'd rather read the paperback, which is the Heppenstall.
His introduction to the book is very witty and insightful, so I'm confused as to why the actual flow is off. Could it be the Balzac novel itself? In comparing the two translations I don't know if I actually have a clear favorite. James Waring did the kindle version and it feels a little more plain spoken, but equally awkward.

Regardless, after the first few pages I started to get more enveloped in the goings on and can forgive the stunted language.