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3.66 AVERAGE
3.66 AVERAGE
This seemed like a good choice for my first Balzac. It was fine, I ended up skimming parts.
Negatives:
- Overly long
- Too many parlour scenes
Positives:
- Nuanced characters
- Excellent ending
Negatives:
- Overly long
- Too many parlour scenes
Positives:
- Nuanced characters
- Excellent ending
My first dip into the vast ocean that is Balzac's Comedie Humaine, and not my last. The story is set in 1819, on the heels of the Reign of Terror and the Bonaparte years, and the people of Paris just want to forget war, politics, and just spend money on the fun stuff, dammit. Eugene, penniless son of a broke country noble, comes to Paris to study law, find a rich girl, and have a good time while simultaneously replenishing the family coffers (eventually). Like a good little dandy he splurges on his tailor and takes a room in the poorest Latin Quarter boarding house he can find. There he meets a number of colorful characters: an heiress written out of the family fortune, the mysterious adventurer with the died hair (Vautrin), and the titular retired merchant who holds his ungrateful daughters a bit too dear.
This set up leads Eugene--and the reader by proxy--into the lowest Parisian alley and the most glamorous ballroom. Social themes are explored, drama twists and turns, the speeches can be long, the melodrama can be cut with a knife, the opening descriptions slow and atmospheric, but it's a pretty riveting read nonetheless. And the ending...have a tissue on hand.
It has come to my attention that the inimitable Vautrin appears in at least two other of Balzac's books ([b:Lost Illusions|25932|Lost Illusions (La Comédie Humaine)|Honoré de Balzac|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1348557220s/25932.jpg|2373321] and [b:A Harlot High and Low|25934|A Harlot High and Low|Honoré de Balzac|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1386924189s/25934.jpg|26647]) so those will be the next of his that I seek out!
This set up leads Eugene--and the reader by proxy--into the lowest Parisian alley and the most glamorous ballroom. Social themes are explored, drama twists and turns, the speeches can be long, the melodrama can be cut with a knife, the opening descriptions slow and atmospheric, but it's a pretty riveting read nonetheless. And the ending...have a tissue on hand.
It has come to my attention that the inimitable Vautrin appears in at least two other of Balzac's books ([b:Lost Illusions|25932|Lost Illusions (La Comédie Humaine)|Honoré de Balzac|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1348557220s/25932.jpg|2373321] and [b:A Harlot High and Low|25934|A Harlot High and Low|Honoré de Balzac|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1386924189s/25934.jpg|26647]) so those will be the next of his that I seek out!
I'm in love with Balzac's writing style. It isn't for everyone, but if you love detail and character back stories - for even minor characters - then this is for you. Touching and witty and incredibly French!
dark
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
3.5
Probably one of the most interesting books I’ve had to read for uni.
Probably one of the most interesting books I’ve had to read for uni.
Years ago my mum was an English literature professor and my dad a linguist at an university. Ever since I could read beyond the alphabet books I was spoon fed 'serious classic literature'. Mum had a particular passion for all things French, and I read things like The Red and the Black and Madame Bovary before Harry Potter was even published. Like most normal children, I did not enjoy anything over 200 pages with dense text about poverty and woman's fashion and instead resorted to large amount of 'serious classic science fiction' and Gothic literature instead. As a result, I've always carried this fear and 'Urgh, not another painting on the cover Penguin classic again' attitude towards well, 'serious things'.
So the other day I came across Pere Goriot and thought, hey, now that I'm over 20, I should maybe grow up and read 'serious' things again. I vaguely recall skimming through my dad's copy when I was 8, but quickly gave up when the afternoon cartoon came on TV.
First of all, this is nothing like those old hardcover dust mite infested books my mum used to keep (and still keeps, I suspect). Rather, this is like an episode of Home and Away - a lot of things happen, a lot of drama, internal monologues, speeches, great dialogues and MORE DRAMA. I remember thinking 'Wow, this is great. People used to have such interesting lives.' I was genuinely surprised by how melodramatic yet entertaining the novel was. It has duels, romance, ambitious young man, conspiracy and woman's fashion (now I can actually appreciate it). The characters are fun and even the minor ones are well considered. The last 50 pages are literally mind blowing - the voices were yelling inside my head, everything was a bit delirious and OMG I CAN'T BELIEVE THIS IS HAPPENING IN A FRENCH 19TH CENTURY NOVEL!!!
Now, I must call dad and let him know how much I love Balzac and that one day I may even attempt Proust. One day.
So the other day I came across Pere Goriot and thought, hey, now that I'm over 20, I should maybe grow up and read 'serious' things again. I vaguely recall skimming through my dad's copy when I was 8, but quickly gave up when the afternoon cartoon came on TV.
First of all, this is nothing like those old hardcover dust mite infested books my mum used to keep (and still keeps, I suspect). Rather, this is like an episode of Home and Away - a lot of things happen, a lot of drama, internal monologues, speeches, great dialogues and MORE DRAMA. I remember thinking 'Wow, this is great. People used to have such interesting lives.' I was genuinely surprised by how melodramatic yet entertaining the novel was. It has duels, romance, ambitious young man, conspiracy and woman's fashion (now I can actually appreciate it). The characters are fun and even the minor ones are well considered. The last 50 pages are literally mind blowing - the voices were yelling inside my head, everything was a bit delirious and OMG I CAN'T BELIEVE THIS IS HAPPENING IN A FRENCH 19TH CENTURY NOVEL!!!
Now, I must call dad and let him know how much I love Balzac and that one day I may even attempt Proust. One day.
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I ABSOLUTELY ADORE THIS BOOK.
I don't think I have come across such a thrilling, fast-paced novel in the genre of 19th century European realism. I think my two favorite characters from the book would be Goriot and Vautrin. I am amazed at the way Balzac creates these characters and gives them such fantastic lines that sum up the sentiments of Balzac's own time and society (not to mention the ingenuous schemes that everyone plays at everyone else).
If you're looking for a classic thriller with a lot of style and eloquence, this book is probably what you could do with!
I don't think I have come across such a thrilling, fast-paced novel in the genre of 19th century European realism. I think my two favorite characters from the book would be Goriot and Vautrin. I am amazed at the way Balzac creates these characters and gives them such fantastic lines that sum up the sentiments of Balzac's own time and society (not to mention the ingenuous schemes that everyone plays at everyone else).
If you're looking for a classic thriller with a lot of style and eloquence, this book is probably what you could do with!