Description
By: Honoré de Balzac
Le Père Goriot by Honoré de Balzac is a captivating and poignant novel that delves into the complexities of human nature and societal expectations. Set in 19th century Paris, the story follows the lives of several characters living in a boarding house owned by the kind-hearted but destitute Goriot.
Balzac masterfully weaves together the intertwined fates of the residents, exploring themes of ambition, greed, love, and betrayal. The character of Goriot himself is a tragic figure, sacrificing everything for the happiness of his daughters, who in turn show him little to no gratitude.
The novel is rich in detail and vividly depicts the social hierarchy of Parisian society, offering a scathing critique of the greed and materialism that pervades every aspect of life. Balzac’s prose is elegant and emotive, drawing the reader into the characters’ innermost thoughts and feelings.
Overall, Le Père Goriot is a thought-provoking and emotionally resonant novel that stays with the reader long after the final page. Balzac’s exploration of human frailty and the destructive power of societal expectations make this a timeless classic that is well worth a read.
Book Description:
Le Père Goriot est un roman d’Honoré de Balzac, écrit en 1834, dont la publication débute dans la Revue de Paris et qui paraît en 1835 en librairie. Il fait partie des Scènes de la vie privée de la Comédie humaine. Le Père Goriot établit les bases de ce qui deviendra un véritable édifice : la Comédie humaine, construction littéraire unique en son genre, avec des liens entre les volumes, des passerelles, des renvois.
(Résumé par Wikipédia)
Le Père Goriot (English: Father Goriot or Old Goriot) is an 1835 novel by French novelist and playwright Honoré de Balzac (1799–1850), included in the Scènes de la vie privée section of his novel sequence La Comédie humaine. Set in Paris in 1819, it follows the intertwined lives of three characters: the elderly doting Goriot; a mysterious criminal-in-hiding named Vautrin; and a naive law student named Eugène de Rastignac.
