Father Goriot

Honoré de Balzac

Summary

In a shabby Paris boarding house, an old vermicelli merchant sells his last silver to keep two daughters in gowns they will not thank him for, and a law student decides which way he intends to climb. Balzac worked nights on fifty cups of coffee a day and died at fifty-one; this is the novel where his Human Comedy locks together, and where Vautrin explains, at length, exactly how the world is run.

Available since: 08/19/2026.

Print length: 275 pages.

Other books that might interest you

The Dead

James Joyce

In James Joyce's poignant story, the narrative unfolds against a New Year's Eve gathering in Dublin, painting a vivid and enchanting scene that ultimately leads the protagonist's wife to disclose a startling revelation to her husband. This culminates in an emotionally charged epiphany that is widely regarded as one of the most powerful in modern literature.

Show book

Treasure Island

Robert Louis Stevenson

A legendary adventure novel that has captivated readers for generations.

When young Jim Hawkins discovers a mysterious treasure map, he is drawn into a dangerous journey across the sea in search of hidden riches. Along the way, he encounters ruthless pirates, secret betrayals, and the unforgettable Long John Silver, one of literature's most iconic characters.

Filled with suspense, action, and unforgettable adventure, the novel explores courage, greed, loyalty, and the excitement of the unknown. From deserted islands to buried treasure, every chapter delivers thrilling discoveries and danger.

Rich in atmosphere and fast-paced storytelling, Treasure Island remains one of the greatest pirate adventures ever written and a timeless classic of world literature.

Written by Robert Louis Stevenson, this masterpiece continues to inspire readers and adventure lovers around the world.

Set sail for an unforgettable journey of treasure and danger—download your copy today.

Show book

The Man in the Brown Suit

Agatha Christie

Step into one of Agatha Christie's most exciting adventure mysteries with The Man in the Brown Suit, now available as an immersive audiobook.When a man dies under mysterious circumstances at a London Underground station, Anne Beddingfeld—a courageous and curious young woman—finds herself drawn into a dangerous investigation. A single clue leads her to a mysterious stranger in a brown suit, setting off an unforgettable journey from England to South Africa.As Anne travels aboard a luxury ocean liner, she encounters secret identities, international criminals, hidden treasures, and deadly conspiracies. With every revelation, the stakes grow higher, and danger follows her at every turn. Can she uncover the truth before becoming the next victim?Filled with suspense, adventure, romance, and Agatha Christie's signature twists, The Man in the Brown Suit is a captivating audiobook that brings one of her most beloved standalone novels to life. Whether you're a longtime Christie fan or discovering her work for the first time, this timeless mystery delivers hours of unforgettable listening.

Show book

Pink Flannel - From their pens...

Ford Madox Ford

Ford Madox Ford was born Ford Hermann Hueffer on 17th December 1873 in Wimbledon, London, England.
Today he is best known for one book, ‘The Good Soldier’, which is regularly held to be one of the 100 greatest novels of all time. But, rather unfairly, the breadth of his career has been overshadowed. He wrote novels as well as essays, poetry, memoirs and literary criticism. Today he is well-regarded but known only for a few works rather than the grand arc of his career.
Ford collaborated with Joseph Conrad on three novels but would later complain that, as with all his collaborators, and those he so readily championed, his contribution was overshadowed by theirs.
He founded The English Review and The Transatlantic Review which were instrumental in publishing and promoting the works of so many authors and movements.
During WWI he initially worked on propaganda books before enlisting. Ford was invalided back to Britain in 1917, remaining in the army and giving lectures until the War’s end. After a spell recuperating in the Sussex countryside he lived mostly in France during the 1920s.
He published the series of four novels known as Parade’s End, between 1924 and 1928. These were particularly well-received in America, where Ford spent much of his time from the later 1920s to his death in 1939.
His last years were spent teaching at Olivet College in Olivet, Michigan.
His poetry is an excellent example of his talents. His evocation of the horrors of War are outstanding examples of the time and have become greatly admired.
Ford Madox Ford died on 26th June 1939 at Deauville, France at the age of 65.

Show book

Laura - From their pens to your...

Saki Saki

Hector Hugh Munro, more familiarly known by his pen-name ‘Saki’ was born in what was then Akyab in British Burma on 18th December 1870. His father was an Inspector General for the Indian Imperial Police, and his mother the daughter of a Rear Admiral.
When he was 2 his mother died and he and his siblings were sent back to England to be raised by their grandmother and paternal maiden aunts in a strict, puritanical household near Barnstaple, Devon. Educated by governesses Saki used many of these women as character models for his later writing.
At 17 his father retried and returned to England and then embarked on a series of European travels with Saki and his siblings.
After a short stint working in Burma with the Indian Imperial Police Saki decided to move to London to make a living as a writer. Initially he wrote as a journalist for a number of newspapers and magazines before attempting an historical study, ‘The Rise of the Russian Empire’, whose real value lay in directing him to writing short stories instead, the first of which, ‘Dogged’, he published in 1899.
From here it was a short stab of the pen to writing political satire before in 1902 he became the foreign correspondent for The Morning Post, first in the Balkans, then Russia, Paris and back to London in 1908, where 'the agreeable life of a man of letters with a brilliant reputation awaited him.'
Collections of his short stories full of witty, mischievous and often macabre stories that satirized Edwardian society and two novels now appeared in the years up to the Great War. At its’ outbreak he was 43 but managed to join as an ordinary trooper. More than once he returned to the battlefield when officially too sick or injured.
On 14th November 1916 Hector Hugh Munro was sheltering in crater during the Battle of the Ancre, when he was shot and killed by a German sniper. According to several sources, his last words were "Put that bloody cigarette out!"

Show book

A Confession - A Journey Through...

Leo Tolstoy

How does one find meaning when life seems meaningless? 
In A Confession, Leo Tolstoy embarks on a deeply personal and philosophical journey through his own crisis of faith. Despite being one of the most successful writers of his time, he finds himself consumed by existential dread—questioning the purpose of life, the inevitability of death, and whether true fulfillment is even possible. 
As he grapples with these questions, Tolstoy delves into the philosophies of science, religion, and spirituality, ultimately arriving at a profound realization that would shape the rest of his life. This short yet powerful work is a raw and unfiltered glimpse into the mind of one of history’s greatest literary figures, offering insights that remain profoundly relevant today. 
What You’ll Discover in This Modern Translation:A Candid Exploration of Existential Crisis – Follow Tolstoy’s honest and unfiltered reflections on life’s biggest questions.A Thought-Provoking Journey Through Philosophy and Faith – Engage with Tolstoy’s struggle to reconcile reason with belief.A Fresh, Readable Translation – This adaptation preserves Tolstoy’s depth while making his reflections clear and engaging for contemporary readers.A Timeless Work on the Search for Meaning – Discover insights that resonate with anyone questioning the purpose of life. 
More than just an autobiography, A Confession is a work of philosophical and spiritual discovery that continues to inspire readers seeking answers to life’s greatest mysteries. 
What does it mean to truly live? 
Get your copy today and embark on Tolstoy’s powerful journey of self-discovery.

Show book