Join us on a literary world trip!
Add this book to bookshelf
Grey
Write a new comment Default profile 50px
Grey
Subscribe to read the full book or read the first pages for free!
All characters reduced
The Deserted Woman - cover

The Deserted Woman

Honoré de Balzac

Translator Ellen Marriage

Publisher: DigiCat

  • 0
  • 0
  • 0

Summary

In "The Deserted Woman," Honoré de Balzac crafts a poignant narrative that delves into the complexities of love, betrayal, and societal expectations within 19th century France. The novella unfolds through a meticulous exploration of character psychology, demonstrating Balzac's skill in realism. His critique of the bourgeois social fabric is underscored by masterful prose that oscillates between visceral emotion and sharp commentary, illustrating the paradox of personal desires versus societal norms. The work exemplifies Balzac's overarching theme of human struggle within the constraints of class and morality, making it a significant piece within his sprawling series, "La Comédie Humaine. Balzac, a prolific writer known for his keen observations of contemporary life, harnessed his experiences of poverty and ambition to reflect on the human condition. His background, marred by financial instability and a relentless drive to document the intricacies of society, lends authenticity to his characters and narratives. "The Deserted Woman" not only highlights his literary mastery but also stands as a testament to his belief in the transformative power of literature. For those interested in the intersection of romantic turmoil and social critique, "The Deserted Woman" is an essential read. Balzac's intricate portrayal of his characters' inner lives invites readers into the turbulent emotional landscapes of his time, making it a compelling exploration of love's fleeting nature and the unavoidable influence of societal judgment.
Available since: 09/16/2022.
Print length: 42 pages.

Other books that might interest you

  • Aepyornis Island (Unabridged) - cover

    Aepyornis Island (Unabridged)

    H. G. Wells

    • 0
    • 0
    • 0
    'Aepyornis Island' is the strange tale of a naturalist who finds himself adrift in a canoe in the Indian Ocean, with three mysterious rare giant eggs which he has collected. He knows they are the eggs of the aepyornis - a bird which has been extinct for hundreds of years. He is amazed, when hunger forces him to try one of the eggs, to find that it is fresh. When he opens the second egg several days later, he is horrified to find a still live embryo inside it. Before he is forced to eat the third and final egg, his canoe is cast up on a deserted atoll, where he finds fresh water and plenty of fish in the lagoon. Then the final egg hatches, and the strangest part of the adventure begins.
    Show book
  • The Red Badge of Courage - cover

    The Red Badge of Courage

    Stephen Crane

    • 0
    • 0
    • 0
    The Red Badge of Courage is the story of an eighteen-year-old boy whose romantic ideas about military life move him to join the Civil War, a conflict that is, to this day, the deadliest war in American history. Henry Fleming, the boy, often referred to as “the youth,” is from New York, the state to suffer the most casualties. When “the youth” finds himself in the middle of his first battle against a regiment of Confederate soldiers, he panics and deserts his regiment. From this premise, Stephen Crane explores the boy’s struggle to gain courage and maturity. There is no critical consensus on if and how Henry comes to better understand himself and the world. But readers have long praised the novel’s depiction of the chaos and psychological intensity of war. 
    Cover illustrated by: Sheila Wong 
    Sheila Wong is a graphic designer and illustrator based in the Pacific Northwest. Her work often pulls from a variety of experiences - from growing up as a child of Chinese immigrants in the Midwest, to years working in tech support and then design in the heart of Silicon Valley. When not at work, she is usually looking for new places to go camping, or building mechanical keyboards.
    Show book
  • Hunchback of Notre-Dame The (Book 7) - cover

    Hunchback of Notre-Dame The...

    Victor Hugo

    • 0
    • 0
    • 0
    Book 7: The Hunchback of Notre-Dame or Notre-Dame de Paris is a French Gothic novel by Victor Hugo, published in 1831. - The story is set in Paris in 1482 during the reign of Louis XI. The gypsy Esmeralda (born as Agnes) captures the hearts of many men, including those of Captain Phoebus and Pierre Gringoire, but especially Quasimodo and his guardian Archdeacon Claude Frollo. Frollo is torn between his obsessive lust for Esmeralda and the rules of Notre Dame Cathedral. He orders Quasimodo to kidnap her, but Quasimodo is captured by Phoebus and his guards, who save Esmeralda. Gringoire, who attempted to help Esmeralda but was knocked out by Quasimodo, is about to be hanged by beggars when Esmeralda saves him by agreeing to marry him for four years.
    Show book
  • David Copperfield - The Lost Manuscript - cover

    David Copperfield - The Lost...

    Charles Dickens

    • 0
    • 0
    • 0
    First published in 1850, David Copperfield begins with avid the tragedy of David's brother dying when David is just a boy. After this episode, he is sent by his step-father to work in London for a wine merchant. When conditions worsen he decides to run away and embarks on a journey by foot from London to Dover. On his arrival, he finds his eccentric aunt, Betsey Trotwood who becomes his new guardian. Being witness to the formation of David's character is quite fascinating. David begins as a strong child whose only aspiration is a better life. On the way to his adulthood, David sees how people enter and leave his life. Romanticism takes its place in David’s life as he gets married to Dora Spenlow who is not long for this world. Will David ever find stability and happiness? And what of his wife? Dickens proves to be a master in creating an autobiographical work that is a captivating page-turner. 
     
    Charles John Huffam Dickens FRSA was an English writer and social critic. He created some of the world's best-known fictional characters and is regarded by many as the greatest novelist of the Victorian era.
    Show book
  • The Last Of The Mohicans - cover

    The Last Of The Mohicans

    James Fenimore Cooper

    • 0
    • 0
    • 0
    Set during the French and Indian War, "The Last of The Mohicans" is one of James Fenimore Cooper's most enduring works, part of his Leatherstocking Tales series. The novel follows Natty Bumppo, known as Hawkeye, and his Mohican companions Chingachgook and Uncas as they navigate the dangers of a war-torn wilderness. Their journey intertwines with the fates of two British sisters, Alice and Cora Munro, leading to thrilling adventures, battles, and acts of heroism. Through rich and vivid descriptions of the American frontier, Cooper explores complex themes of cultural conflict, love, loyalty, and identity.
    Show book
  • Avenger An - cover

    Avenger An

    Anton Chekhov

    • 0
    • 0
    • 0
    In the story, "An Avenger", Anton Chekhov, explores the themes of infidelity, trust, revenge, shame and pride. Fyodor Sigaev catches his wife being unfaithful to him red-handed. He finds himself angry and outraged at a gun shop where he has thoughts of killing his wife, her lover and himself.
    Show book