Books by Honore De Balzac

A Passion in the Desert by Honoré de Balzac has been regarded as significant work throughout human history, and in order to ensure that this work is never lost, we have taken steps to ensure its preservation by republishing this book in a contemporary format for both current and future generations. This entire book has been retyped, redesigned, and reformatted. Since these books are not made from scanned copies, the text is readable and clear.

La señora Vauquer, de soltera De Conflans, es una anciana que desde hace cuarenta años regenta una pensión en la calle Neuve-Sainte-Geneviève, entre el barrio latino y el de Saint-Marcel. Esta pensión, conocida bajo el nombre de Casa Vauquer, admite tanto a hombres como mujeres, jóvenes y ancianos, sin que las malas lenguas hayan atacado nunca las costumbres de tan respetable establecimiento. Pero también es cierto que desde hacía treinta años nunca se había visto en ella a ninguna persona joven, y para que un hombre joven viviese allí era preciso que su familia le pasara mensualmente muy poco dinero. No obstante, en el año 1819, época en la que da comienzo este drama, hallábase en Casa Vauquer una joven pobre. Aunque la palabra drama haya caído en descrédito por el modo abusivo con que ha sido prodigada en estos tiempos de dolorosa literatura, es preciso emplearla aquí: no que esta historia sea dramática en la verdadera acepción de la palabra; pero, una vez terminada la obra, quizás el lector habrá derramado algunas lágrimas intramuros y extra. ¿Será comprendida más allá de París? Nos permitimos ponerlo en duda. Las particularidades de esta historia llena de observaciones y de colores locales no pueden apreciarse más que entre el pie de Montmartre y las alturas de Montrouge, en ese ilustre valle de cascote continuamente a punto de caer y de arroyos negros de barro; valle repleto de sufrimientos reales, de alegrías a menudo ficticias, y tan terriblemente agitado que se precisa algo exorbitante para producir una sensación de cierta duración.

Sarrasine is a novella written by Honoré de Balzac. It was published in 1830, and is part of his Comédie Humaine. Balzac, who began writing in 1819 while living alone in the rue Lesdiguières, undertook the composition of Sarrasine in 1830. Although he had steadily produced work for over a decade (without commercial success), Sarrasine was among his earliest publications to appear without a pseudonym. During the period in which the novella was written, Balzac was involved in many salons, including that of Madame Recamier. Around the time in which Sarrasine was published, Balzac experienced great success with another work, La Peau de Chagrin (1831).

Honoré de Balzac; born Honoré Balzac 20 May 1799 - 18 August 1850) was a French novelist and playwright. The novel sequence La Comédie humaine, which presents a panorama of post-Napoleonic French life, is generally viewed as his magnum opus. Owing 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 writers, including the novelists Émile Zola, Charles Dickens, Marcel Proust, Gustave Flaubert, and Henry James, and filmmakers François Truffaut and Jacques Rivette.

Honoré de Balzac; born Honoré Balzac 20 May 1799 - 18 August 1850) was a French novelist and playwright. The novel sequence La Comédie humaine, which presents a panorama of post-Napoleonic French life, is generally viewed as his magnum opus. Owing 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 writers, including the novelists Émile Zola, Charles Dickens, Marcel Proust, Gustave Flaubert, and Henry James, and filmmakers François Truffaut and Jacques Rivette.

Séraphîta is a French novel by Honoré de Balzac with themes of androgyny. It was published in the Revue de Paris in 1834. In contrast with the realism of most of the author's best known works, the story delves into the fantastic and the supernatural to illustrate philosophical themes. In a castle in Norway near the fjord Stromfjord, Séraphitüs, a strange and melancholic being, conceals a terrible secret. Séraphitüs loves Minna, and she returns this love, believing Séraphitüs to be a man. But Séraphitüs is also loved by Wilfrid, who considers Séraphitüs to be a woman (Séraphîta). In reality, Séraphitüs- Séraphîta is a perfect androgyne, born to parents who by the doctrines of Emanuel Swedenborg have transcended their humanity, and Séraphitüs-Séraphîta is the perfect example of humanity.

Les Secrets de la princesse de Cadignan (English "The Secrets of the Princesse de Cadignan") is a short story by Honoré de Balzac. It was published in 1839 and is one of the Scènes de la vie Parisienne of La Comédie humaine. Diane de Maufrigneuse, also known as the Princesse de Cadignan is an aristocrat whose husband went into exile after the July Revolution in 1830 due to his loyalty to Charles X. She has had a number of love affairs which her husband has ignored. She was also loved by Michel Chrestien, who admired her from afar, usually attending the opera in order to see her. Chrestien, an ardent republican is killed in a republican uprising in 1832.

Honoré de Balzac; born Honoré Balzac 20 May 1799 - 18 August 1850) was a French novelist and playwright. The novel sequence La Comédie humaine, which presents a panorama of post-Napoleonic French life, is generally viewed as his magnum opus. Owing 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 writers, including the novelists Émile Zola, Charles Dickens, Marcel Proust, Gustave Flaubert, and Henry James, and filmmakers François Truffaut and Jacques Rivette.

Honoré de Balzac; born Honoré Balzac 20 May 1799 - 18 August 1850) was a French novelist and playwright. The novel sequence La Comédie humaine, which presents a panorama of post-Napoleonic French life, is generally viewed as his magnum opus. Owing 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 writers, including the novelists Émile Zola, Charles Dickens, Marcel Proust, Gustave Flaubert, and Henry James, and filmmakers François Truffaut and Jacques Rivette.

La calle del Torniquete de San Juan, cuya descripción pudo parecer fatigante en su tiempo ¿al principio del estudio titulado Una familia doble (ver las Escenas de la vida privada)¿, ese ingenuo detalle del viejo París, sólo tiene hoy esa existencia tipográfica. Para construir la Casa Ayuntamiento tal como se encuentra hoy se destruyó todo un barrio. En 1830, los transeúntes podían aún ver el torniquete pintado en la muestra de un vinatero; pero esa casa fue derruida más tarde. Recordar este servicio no significa anunciar otro del mismo género. ¡Desgraciadamente el viejo París desaparece con espantosa rapidez! Aquí y allá quedarán, ora un tipo de casa medieval, como la que fue descrita al comienzo de El gato que juega a la pelota, y de la que hoy subsisten uno o dos ejemplares; ora la casa que habitaba el juez Popinot, en la calle Fouarre, espécimen de la vieja burguesía. Aquí los restos de la casa de Fulbert; allá las orillas del Sena, construidas bajo Carlos IX. Nueva Old mortality, ¿por qué no ha de salvar el historiador de la sociedad francesa estas curiosas expresiones del pasado, imitando al viejo de Walter Scott, que reparaba las tumbas? Ciertamente, de diez años a esta parte, los gritos de la literatura no han sido vanos: el arte comienza a cubrir con sus flores las innobles fachadas de esas que llaman en París maisons de produit, y a las que Víctor Hugo compara burlonamente con cómodas.

Love in a Mask; Or, Imprudence and Happiness by Honoré de Balzac has been regarded as significant work throughout human history, and in order to ensure that this work is never lost, we have taken steps to ensure its preservation by republishing this book in a contemporary format for both current and future generations. This entire book has been retyped, redesigned, and reformatted. Since these books are not made from scanned copies, the text is readable and clear.

Louis Lambert by Honoré de Balzac has been regarded as significant work throughout human history, and in order to ensure that this work is never lost, we have taken steps to ensure its preservation by republishing this book in a contemporary format for both current and future generations. This entire book has been retyped, redesigned, and reformatted. Since these books are not made from scanned copies, the text is readable and clear.

Al día siguiente, Lucien hizo visar su pasaporte, se compró un bastón de acebo y tomó en la plaza de la rue d¿Enfer una silla volante que, por diez sueldos, le dejó en Longjumeau. En la primera etapa, hizo noche en el establo de una granja a dos leguas de Arpajon. Cuando hubo llegado a Orleáns, se sentía ya muy fatigado, pero por tres francos un barquero le llevó hasta Tours y durante el trayecto únicamente gastó dos francos en la comida. De Tours a Poitiers, Lucien anduvo durante cinco días. Cuando hubo dejado bastante atrás Poitiers, no tenía en el bolsillo más que cien sueldos, pero hizo acopio de fuerzas para continuar su camino. Un día que Lucien, sorprendido por la noche en una llanura, decidió vivaquear en ella, vio al fondo de un barranco una calesa que subía por una pendiente. Sin ser visto por el postillón, los viajeros y un criado instalado en el pescante, pudo acurrucarse en la trasera entre dos bultos y se durmió acomodándose lo mejor posible para poder resistir el traqueteo. Por la mañana, despertado por el sol que hería sus ojos y por un ruido de voces, reconoció Mansle, la pequeña ciudad en la que, dieciocho meses antes, había ido a esperar a madame de Bargeton con el corazón lleno de amor, esperanza y alegría. Viéndose cubierto de polvo y en medio de un corro de curiosos y de postillones, comprendió que debían de acusarle de algo; se puso en pie de un salto e iba a decir algo cuando dos viajeros que salieron de la calesa se lo impidieron: vio al nuevo prefecto del Charente, el conde Sixte du Châtelet, y a su esposa, Louise de Nègrepelisse.

En la época en que comienza esta historia, la prensa de Stanhope y los rodillos distribuidores de tinta no estaban aún en uso en las pequeñas imprentas de provincias. En Angulema, a pesar de la especialidad que la mantiene en contacto con las tipografías parisienses, se seguía utilizando prensas de madera, a las que la lengua debe la expresión «hacer gemir las prensas», hoy caída en desuso. La vieja imprenta utilizaba todavía las balas de cuero, entintadas, con las que uno de los prensistas impregnaba los tipos. La plataforma móvil en la que se coloca la «forma» llena de letras, sobre la cual se aplica la hoja de papel, era aún de piedra y justificaba su nombre de «mármol». Las voraces prensas mecánicas han hecho hoy olvidar hasta tal punto este mecanismo, al que debemos, pese a su imperfección, los bellos libros de los Elzevir, Plantin, Aldo y Didot, que se hace necesario mencionar el viejo utillaje por el que Jérôme-Nicolas Séchard sentía un afecto supersticioso, porque desempeña su papel en esta pequeña gran historia.

Letters of Two Brides by Honoré de Balzac is an engaging epistolary novel that provides a profound exploration of two women's lives in early 19th-century France. The book unfolds through intimate letters exchanged between two close friends - Louise de Chaulieu and Renée de Maucombe. Through their correspondence, Balzac deftly explores their transition from the confines of the convent school to the complexities of adulthood, marriage, and society. This tale is a stunning portrayal of female friendship, the dynamics of love, and the societal constraints of their time.Both women follow different paths in life, with Louise pursuing a path of romantic passion and Renée embodying the virtues of duty and motherhood. Their differing views and experiences of love and life present a fascinating dichotomy, offering the reader a deep dive into their innermost thoughts and emotions. Balzac's nuanced depiction of their individual journeys illuminates the human condition, creating a captivating narrative that is both a love story and a social commentary. Letters of Two Brides is a remarkable exploration of the enduring themes of love, friendship, and the choices we make.

Uno de los espectáculos que más espanto puede causar es, sin duda alguna, el aspecto general del vecindario parisino, gente feísima de ver y de color quebrada, gente amarilla y curtida. ¿No es acaso París un campo amplísimo que trastorna continuamente una tempestad de intereses bajo la que gira el torbellino de una cosecha de hombres que la muerte siega con mayor frecuencia que en otros lugares y vuelven a nacer en idéntica estrechez, hombres cuyos rostros enrevesados y tortuosos rezuman por todos los poros el alma, los deseos, los venenos que preñan sus cerebros, no ya rostros, sino máscaras, máscaras de flaqueza, máscaras de fuerza, máscaras de miseria, máscaras de alegría, máscaras de hipocresía, todas ellas exhaustas, todas ellas impregnadas de las marcas indelebles de una anhelante avidez? ¿Qué ansían? ¿Oro o placer?

Sabido es lo delgados que son los tabiques que separan los reservados en los más elegantes cafés de París. En Véry, por ejemplo, el salón de mayor tamaño lo divide en dos una mampara que se coloca y se retira a voluntad. No sucedió ahí la escena, sino en un sitio agradable que no me conviene nombrar. Éramos dos, y diré, en consecuencia, igual que el Prudhomme de Henri Monnier: «No querría comprometerla». Estábamos jugueteando con los manjares de una cena exquisita por más de un concepto, en un saloncito en donde hablábamos en voz baja, tras haber comprobado la poca consistencia del tabique. Habíamos llegado al asado sin que hubiera vecinos en el recinto contiguo, en donde sólo sonaba el chisporrotear del fuego. Dieron las ocho y oímos fuerte ruido de pisadas; se cruzaron frases, los mozos trajeron velas. Todo ello nos puso al tanto de que la sala estaba ocupada. Al reconocer las voces, supe con qué personajes nos las teníamos que haber.

En algunos pueblecitos de provincias se encuentran casas cuya vista inspira una melancolía igual a la que provocan los claustros más sombríos, las landas más desiertas o las ruinas más tristes. Y es que sin duda participan a la vez esas casas del silencio del claustro, de la aridez de las landas y de los despojos de las ruinas: la vida y el movimiento son en ellas tan reposados, que un extranjero las creería deshabitadas si no encontrase de pronto la mirada fría y sin expresión de una persona inmóvil, cuyo rostro medio monástico asoma por una ventana al oír el ruido de pasos desconocidos. Este aspecto melancólico lo posee un edificio situado en Saumur, al extremo de la calle montuosa que conduce al castillo por la parte alta de la villa. Esta calle, que se ve ahora poco frecuentada, cálida en verano, fría en invierno y obscura en algunos parajes, es notable por la sonoridad de su empedrado, que está siempre limpio y seco; por la estrechez de su vía tortuosa y por la paz de sus casas, que pertenecen a la villa antigua y que dominan las murallas. Unas habitaciones tres veces seculares y sólidas aún a pesar de haber sido construidas con madera, y los diversos paisajes que ofrecen, contribuyen a dar originalidad a aquella parte de Saumur, que es tan interesante para anticuarios y artistas. Es difícil pasar por delante de estas casas sin admirar sus enormes vigas, cuyos extremos forman extrañas figuras y que coronan de un bajo relieve negro el piso bajo de la mayor parte de ellas.

Honoré de Balzac; born Honoré Balzac 20 May 1799 - 18 August 1850) was a French novelist and playwright. The novel sequence La Comédie humaine, which presents a panorama of post-Napoleonic French life, is generally viewed as his magnum opus. Owing 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 writers, including the novelists Émile Zola, Charles Dickens, Marcel Proust, Gustave Flaubert, and Henry James, and filmmakers François Truffaut and Jacques Rivette.

Honoré de Balzac; born Honoré Balzac 20 May 1799 - 18 August 1850) was a French novelist and playwright. The novel sequence La Comédie humaine, which presents a panorama of post-Napoleonic French life, is generally viewed as his magnum opus. Owing 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 writers, including the novelists Émile Zola, Charles Dickens, Marcel Proust, Gustave Flaubert, and Henry James, and filmmakers François Truffaut and Jacques Rivette.

Honoré de Balzac; born Honoré Balzac 20 May 1799 - 18 August 1850) was a French novelist and playwright. The novel sequence La Comédie humaine, which presents a panorama of post-Napoleonic French life, is generally viewed as his magnum opus. Owing 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 writers, including the novelists Émile Zola, Charles Dickens, Marcel Proust, Gustave Flaubert, and Henry James, and filmmakers François Truffaut and Jacques Rivette.

Honoré de Balzac; born Honoré Balzac 20 May 1799 - 18 August 1850) was a French novelist and playwright. The novel sequence La Comédie humaine, which presents a panorama of post-Napoleonic French life, is generally viewed as his magnum opus. Owing 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 writers, including the novelists Émile Zola, Charles Dickens, Marcel Proust, Gustave Flaubert, and Henry James, and filmmakers François Truffaut and Jacques Rivette.

The Message, has been considered important throughout human history. In an effort to ensure that this work is never lost, we have taken steps to secure its preservation by republishing this book in a modern format for both current and future generations. This complete book has been retyped, redesigned, and reformatted. Since these books are not scans of the authors' original publications, the text is readable and clear.

Mercadet: A Comedy in Three Acts, has been considered important throughout human history. In an effort to ensure that this work is never lost, we have taken steps to secure its preservation by republishing this book in a modern format for both current and future generations. This complete book has been retyped, redesigned, and reformatted. Since these books are not scans of the authors' original publications, the text is readable and clear.

Parisians in the Country, has been considered important throughout human history. In an effort to ensure that this work is never lost, we have taken steps to secure its preservation by republishing this book in a modern format for both current and future generations. This complete book has been retyped, redesigned, and reformatted. Since these books are not scans of the authors' original publications, the text is readable and clear.

En los comienzos del otoño del año 1826, el abate Birotteau, personaje principal de esta historia, fue sorprendido por un chaparrón al volver de la casa donde había pasado la velada. Atravesaba, pues, tan rápidamente como sus carnes podían permitírselo la plazuela desierta llamada del Claustro, que se halla a espaldas del ábside de Saint-Gatien, en Tours. El abate Birotteau, hombrecillo de constitución apoplética y de unos sesenta años, había sufrido ya varios ataques de gota. De suerte que, entre todas las pequeñas miserias de la vida humana, la que más aversión le inspiraba era la súbita mojadura de sus zapatos, de ancha hebilla de plata, y la inmersión de sus suelas. En efecto; a pesar de los escarpines de franela con que se empaquetaba en todo tiempo los pies, con ese cuidado que los eclesiásticos ponen en su persona, siempre pillaba un poco de humedad; y al siguiente día la gota le daba infaliblemente pruebas de su constancia. Sin embargo, como el piso del Claustro siempre está seco y el abate Birotteau había ganado tres libras y diez sueldos al whist en casa de la señora de Listomère, soportó la lluvia con resignación desde el centro de la plaza del Arzobispado, donde había empezado a caer en abundancia. Además, en aquel momento acariciaba él su quimera, un deseo que tenía ya doce años de fecha, ¡un deseo de clérigo!, un deseo que se robustecía todas las noches y que ahora parecía próximo a cumplirse; en fin, el abate Birotteau se envolvía demasiado bien en la muceta de una canonjía para sentir la intemperie. Durante la velada, las personas habitualmente reunidas en casa de la señora de Listomère le habían casi garantizado su nombramiento para la plaza de canónigo a la sazón vacante en el capítulo metropolitano de Saint-Gatien, asegurándole que nadie la merecía como él, cuyos derechos, durante mucho tiempo olvidados, eran incontestables. Si hubiese perdido en el juego, si hubiese sabido que al abate Poirel, su contrincante, le hacían canónigo, entonces sí que la lluvia le habría parecido fría. Tal vez habría renegado de la existencia. Pero se encontraba en una de esas raras circunstancias de la vida en que las sensaciones dichosas nos hacen olvidarlo todo. Al apresurar el paso obedecía a un movimiento maquinal, y la verdad, tan esencial en una historia de costumbres, obliga a decir que no pensaba en el chaparrón ni en la gota.

Honoré de Balzac; born Honoré Balzac 20 May 1799 - 18 August 1850) was a French novelist and playwright. The novel sequence La Comédie humaine, which presents a panorama of post-Napoleonic French life, is generally viewed as his magnum opus. Owing 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 writers, including the novelists Émile Zola, Charles Dickens, Marcel Proust, Gustave Flaubert, and Henry James, and filmmakers François Truffaut and Jacques Rivette.

Honoré de Balzac; born Honoré Balzac 20 May 1799 - 18 August 1850) was a French novelist and playwright. The novel sequence La Comédie humaine, which presents a panorama of post-Napoleonic French life, is generally viewed as his magnum opus. Owing 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 writers, including the novelists Émile Zola, Charles Dickens, Marcel Proust, Gustave Flaubert, and Henry James, and filmmakers François Truffaut and Jacques Rivette.