Honoré de Balzac
Honoré de Balzac was a prolific French novelist and playwright born on May 20, 1799, in Tours, France. He is best known for his ambitious series of novels and stories collectively titled "La Comédie Humaine," which paints a vivid portrait of French society in the early 19th century. Balzac's works delve into the complexities of human behavior and the social conditions of his time, showcasing a remarkable ability to create memorable characters and intricate plots. His keen observations and detailed descriptions provide a fascinating window into the lives of the people in his world, making his narratives both engaging and thought-provoking.
Throughout his life, Balzac faced numerous challenges, including financial difficulties and a relentless work ethic that often left him exhausted. Despite these obstacles, he managed to produce over ninety individual works, leaving a lasting legacy that influenced countless writers, including Marcel Proust and Charles Dickens. If you’re curious about the intricacies of human nature and the societal issues of the past, exploring Balzac's literature can be a rewarding experience. Dive into his world and discover the rich tapestry of characters and stories that continue to resonate today.
La Comédie Humaine: 07 - Scènes de la vie de province tome 3 (8-9-44)
Read by Bernard
Honoré de Balzac
Ce n'était pas une petite tâche que de peindre les deux ou trois mille figures saillantes d'une époque, car telle est, e…
The Magic Skin
Read by James E. Carson
Honoré de Balzac
Something along the lines of Dorian Gray as part of the Comedies Humane Philosophique, this is Balzac's first successful novel. He even wrot…
Scenes from a Courtesan's Life
Read by Bruce Pirie
Honoré de Balzac
Scenes from a Courtesan's Life is one of the last great works completed by Balzac for his huge novel series entitled The Human Comedy. Sect…
La Comédie Humaine: 08 - Scènes de la vie de province tome 4 (29-07-43) - Illusions perdues
Read by Bernard
Honoré de Balzac
Ce n'était pas une petite tâche que de peindre les deux ou trois mille figures saillantes d'une époque, car telle est, e…
Lost Illusions: Ève and David
Read by Bruce Pirie
Honoré de Balzac
Ève and David (1843) is the final book in Balzac’s Lost Illusions trilogy, which is part of his sweeping set of novels collectively t…
La Comédie Humaine: 02 - Scènes de la vie privée tome 2 (3-9-42)
Read by Bernard
Honoré de Balzac
Ce n'était pas une petite tâche que de peindre les deux ou trois mille figures saillantes d'une époque, car telle est, e…
Cousin Pons
Read by Bruce Pirie
Honoré de Balzac
Cousin Pons is one of the final works in Balzac's long novel series titled The Human Comedy. It was published in 1847, along with Cousin Bet…
La Comédie Humaine: 09 - Scènes de la vie parisienne tome 1 (7-11-43) - Histoire des Treize
Read by Bernard
Honoré de Balzac
Ce n'était pas une petite tâche que de peindre les deux ou trois mille figures saillantes d'une époque, car telle est, e…
La Comédie Humaine: 03 - Scènes de la vie privée tome 3 (19-11-42)
Read by Bernard
Honoré de Balzac
Ce n'était pas une petite tâche que de peindre les deux ou trois mille figures saillantes d'une époque, car telle est, e…
La Comédie Humaine: 04 - Scènes de la vie privée tome 4 (date incertaine, avant début décembre 1845)
Read by Bernard
Honoré de Balzac
Ce n'était pas une petite tâche que de peindre les deux ou trois mille figures saillantes d'une époque, car telle est, e…
Love in a Mask, or Imprudence and Happiness
Read by Lee Smalley
Honoré de Balzac
Love in a Mask, or Imprudence and Happiness, is an entertaining short novel by Honoré de Balzac, unpublished in his lifetime. Beginni…
Louis Lambert
Read by Don W. Jenkins
Honoré de Balzac
Louis Lambert is an 1832 novel by French novelist and playwright Honoré de Balzac (1799–1850), included in the Études philosop…
The Vicar of Tours
Read by Nicholas Clifford (1930-2019)
Honoré de Balzac
Over twenty years before Anthony Trollope wrote The Warden, in which the gentle but unfortunate Rev. Septimus Harding becomes the prey of an…
La Comédie Humaine: Les Comédiens sans le savoir
Read by Bernard
Honoré de Balzac
Sylvestre Palafox-Castel-Gazonnal, dit Gazonnal, « monte » à Paris pour régler un procès qui l’oppose au pr…
La Comédie Humaine: 10 - Scènes de la vie parisienne tome 2 (29-9-44)
Read by Bernard
Honoré de Balzac
Ce n'était pas une petite tâche que de peindre les deux ou trois mille figures saillantes d'une époque, car telle est, e…
Modeste Mignon
Read by LibriVox Volunteers
Honoré de Balzac
Modeste Mignon, a young provincial woman of romantic temperament, imagines herself to be in love with the famous Parisian poet Melchior de C…
The Phoenix and the Carpet (version 3 Dramatic Reading)
Read by LibriVox Volunteers
E. Nesbit and Honoré de Balzac
Cyril, Robert, Anthea and Jane need a new carpet for the nursery, but it turns out to be a magic carpet containing a phoenix egg! They disco…
Gobseck
Read by James E. Carson
Honoré de Balzac
Part of the La Comedie Humane and something of a sequence to Balzac's Father Goriot, the short book's title is the name of the pawn broker/m…
Another Study of Woman
Read by Nicholas Clifford (1930-2019)
Honoré de Balzac
A series of tales -- told by men, of course -- about women. Though the book first appeared in 1842, Balzac later added to it as an addenfum …
Catherine De' Medici
Read by Edmund Bloxam
Honoré de Balzac
The Philosophical Studies from The Human Comedy (La Comedie Humaine) are a series of works that are intended as a reflection on history in p…