Father Goriot Honore de Balzac Ellen Marriage 9781539863953 Books
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Father 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. Originally published in serial form during the winter of 1834/35, Le Père Goriot is widely considered Balzac's most important novel. It marks the first serious use by the author of characters who had appeared in other books, a technique that distinguishes Balzac's fiction. The novel is also noted as an example of his realist style, using minute details to create character and subtext. The novel takes place during the Bourbon Restoration, which brought profound changes to French society; the struggle by individuals to secure a higher social status is a major theme in the book. The city of Paris also impresses itself on the characters – especially young Rastignac, who grew up in the provinces of southern France. Balzac analyzes, through Goriot and others, the nature of family and marriage, providing a pessimistic view of these institutions. The novel was released to mixed reviews. Some critics praised the author for his complex characters and attention to detail; others condemned him for his many depictions of corruption and greed. A favorite of Balzac's, the book quickly won widespread popularity and has often been adapted for film and the stage. It gave rise to the French expression "Rastignac", a social climber willing to use any means to better his situation.
Father Goriot Honore de Balzac Ellen Marriage 9781539863953 Books
I really enjoyed this book. Started reading it because Thomas Piketty references it in his book "Capital in the 21st Century" as it is, like many 19th century novels, openly concerned with financial matters as they affect human relations in a way that modern books aren't. Piketty points out that this is because we live in a more egalitarian society (or did, until recently) and do not have to kowtow to the wealthy for any hope of a decent life. In Pere Goriot, which takes place around 1810-1820, ordinary Parisian men have no hope of escaping extremely modest prospects even through the study of medicine or law, unless they marry a wealthy heiress. The hero, Rastignac, comes to Paris to study medicine and lives in a boarding house populated by down-on-their-luck rentiers, including Pere Goriot. He soon learns that to those who live in Parisian society, the pursuit of money becomes everything, even more important than family or honor.Product details
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Tags : Father Goriot [Honore de Balzac, Ellen Marriage] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. Father 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,Honore de Balzac, Ellen Marriage,Father Goriot,CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform,1539863956,Classics,FICTION Classics,Fiction,Literature: Classics
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Father Goriot Honore de Balzac Ellen Marriage 9781539863953 Books Reviews
The story is rather interesting, although it does drag along at times. I write historic fiction so I find a story that focuses on Paris many, many years ago, fascinating. I didn't realize that straight-laced Parisians had parties and stayed up all night, lol.
What a treasure of a book that is still relevant in todays society of how children assume that their parents are old and out dated. The parents love for a child never falters. Here is that classic example of how 2 daughters are so competitive that their father must sell his wealth to keep them happy. Must read to find out the characters that are admitted from the book.
It's interesting that I've got what appears to be this same version of Honore de Balzac's "Father Goriot" (translated by Ellen Marriage), but no longer thinks so (the link from my invoice is dead). I assume it's because this is a slightly different "public domain" edition. Anyway, I was surprised that I found the book to be a pretty good read. Normally, I find Literature (with a capital "L") to be insufferable. Balzac actually has a good story here with good characterizations. The problems I have with it are two-fold. First, his descriptions of the settings are good but he tends to overdo them. The most obvious example of this is the very beginning of the book. A little over 11% of the book is devoted to the initial descriptions of the setting and characters (the first time I read the book, I almost put it down because of this). But, once you get past that first 11%, the actual story takes over and things smooth out. Second, like much of the Literature of the time, the story centers around shallow people climbing over the bodies of others (including family) to advance their own social situation and finances. It's very depressing. But, if you want some decent "capital 'L'" Literature to read, this is a good choice. I rate it at a Pretty Good 3 stars out of 5.
It was a challenging read. The bleakness of the setting and the characters' lives made it hard to get into the book. But, persevering is worth it as you get a glimpse at some universal challenges. Money its acquisition and use, raising entitled children, personal boundaries and growth. The ending was thought provoking and poignant, the title characters' life affecting the other main character's outlook and future. One wonders what he will create in others' lives.
Father has two daughters. Splits his wealth between them. The Lear effect takes place.
The author has the uncanny ability to express thoughts and experience readers have or are familiar with either from family encounters or in reading Dear Abby stuff you know but can't express as the author does in story and in sentences.
Sharpen your pencil or buy a new highlighter before reading this book to save time since you'll be underlining or highlighting a lot.
Since the story's setting is in another age and the language is from another age, it takes a few pages to adjust.
This is not a page turner; it's a thought provoker.
This quickly became one of my favorite books. I have loved American and Russian Literature for a long time, but never dabbled in French Literature, though I expect that I will start, now that I have read this.
This book had all of the drama and intrigue one might find in an F. Scott Fitzgerald or Mikhail Lermontov novel, but set in France, of course.
If you like high society dramas set in the 1800s, you're in for a treat.
Pere Goriot is a great novel, though what I loved as a college student is not what I loved upon re-reading. As a younger reader I loved the sacrificial devotion of the father for his daughters. As a mature adult, I was disturbed, finding it what we now would call enabling and infantilizing.
The characters are so well drawn, as are the times, the era, the city of Paris in all it's glory and misery. These are what make the book great
The problem is the translations of many of these free books. They are translated by more than one person, and it's very obvious. Some sections are fine, others very poor and hard to follow. So we aren't getting a fair shot at reading the novel as it was written. It's too bad, because these erratic translations may turn some readers away from the classic,novels of the 18th and 19th centuries.
I really enjoyed this book. Started reading it because Thomas Piketty references it in his book "Capital in the 21st Century" as it is, like many 19th century novels, openly concerned with financial matters as they affect human relations in a way that modern books aren't. Piketty points out that this is because we live in a more egalitarian society (or did, until recently) and do not have to kowtow to the wealthy for any hope of a decent life. In Pere Goriot, which takes place around 1810-1820, ordinary Parisian men have no hope of escaping extremely modest prospects even through the study of medicine or law, unless they marry a wealthy heiress. The hero, Rastignac, comes to Paris to study medicine and lives in a boarding house populated by down-on-their-luck rentiers, including Pere Goriot. He soon learns that to those who live in Parisian society, the pursuit of money becomes everything, even more important than family or honor.
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