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.
Colonel Chabert
Read by Nicole Lee
Honoré de Balzac
Colonel Chabert is a soldier, who goes missing during the Napoleonic wars, and then returns from the dead, most inconveniently for his wife,…
The Firm of Nucingen
Read by James E. Carson
Honoré de Balzac
Part of the Comedie Humane and a "supplementary" tale to go with Father Goriot and Gobseck. Nucingen is the married family name of…
The Red Inn
Read by pmstrahm
Honoré de Balzac
Staying at the red inn. Two army surgeons get caught up in a murder, intrigue and execution. - Summary by pmstrahm
El elixir de larga vida
Read by Alba
Honoré de Balzac
En un suntuoso palacio de Ferrara agasajaba don Juan Belvídero una noche de invierno a un príncipe de la casa de Este. En aqu…
La Grande Bretèche
Read by Nicholas Clifford (1930-2019)
Honoré de Balzac
La Grande Bretèche is an addendum to Balzac's Another Study of Woman, and is the final of a set of stories told around a dinner table…
El verdugo
Read by Alba
Honoré de Balzac
El campanario del pueblecito de Menda acaba de dar las doce. En aquel momento de la noche, un joven oficial francés, apoyado en el p…
La Maison du chat-qui-pelote
Honoré de Balzac
Au Fil des lectures Roman de Balzac, lu par Nicole Delage. 2 h 20
La Messe de l'athée
Honoré de Balzac
Nouvelle de Balzac, lue par Victoria. Au fil des lectures 45 mn
La doncella de Tilhouze
Read by Alba
Honoré de Balzac
El señor de Valesnes, pintoresco lugar cuyo castillo no está lejos de la aldea de Tilhouze, habíase casado con una d…
The Chouans
Read by Jim Locke
Honoré de Balzac
Les Chouans is one of the novels in Balzac's series La Comedie Humaine. Its ostensible focus is a historical military conflict, but it also …
The Chouans (version 2)
Read by Bruce Pirie
Honoré de Balzac
“The Chouans” (1829) was the first novel published under Balzac’s own name (rather than a pen-name). It became the first book in the great w…
The Duchess of Langeais
Read by Bruce Pirie
Honoré de Balzac
“The Duchess of Langeais” (1834) is part of Balzac’s great life’s work, the sprawling novel series called “The Human Comedy.” This novel is …
Ursula
Read by Bruce Pirie
Honoré de Balzac
“Ursula,” first published in French in 1841 as “Ursule Mirouët,” is part of Balzac’s great suite of novels, collectively titled “The Hu…
Balzac - la peau de chagrin - Incipit
Balzac and Honoré de Balzac
Balzac - la peau de chagrin (Incipit)
The Ball at Sceaux
Read by Bruce Pirie
Honoré de Balzac
The novella “The Ball at Sceaux” is part of Balzac’s great life work — the expansive fiction series titled “The Human Comedy.” The central c…
César Birotteau
Read by Bruce Pirie
Honoré de Balzac
“Rise and Fall of César Birotteau” (1837) is part of Balzac’s great novel series titled “The Human Comedy.”The story is set in Paris,…
The Two Brothers
Read by Bruce Pirie
Honoré de Balzac
“The Two Brothers” (1842) is part of Balzac’s great life work, the novel series known as “The Human Comedy.” Balzac’s French title was “La R…
Colonel Chabert (Version 2)
Read by Bruce Pirie
Honoré de Balzac
The short novel “Colonel Chabert” (1832) is part of Balzac’s great life work, the sprawling novel series titled “The Human Comedy.” Chabert,…
The Unknown Masterpiece
Read by Bruce Pirie
Honoré de Balzac
“The Unknown Masterpiece” (“Le Chef-d’œuvre inconnu”) is a novella by Honoré de Balzac, published with revisions in 1845, after earli…
At the Sign of the Cat and Racket
Read by Bruce Pirie
Honoré de Balzac
The short novel “At the Sign of the Cat and Racket” was one of Balzac’s earliest fictions, first published in 1830 and substantially revised…