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La Comédie Humaine #1
At the Sign of the Cat and Racket
Monsieur Guillaume began as a draper's clerk and after marrying the daughter of his employer eventually succeeded to the business. He and his wife have two daughters.
The scene opens with a sketch of his business; he now has an assistant who is smitten with one of his daughters. As he surveys the opening of the shop for a new day of business he notes a stranger whose eyes are intent upon his shop, or possibly on the upper floor where the family dwells. (from a review by Dagny)
The scene opens with a sketch of his business; he now has an assistant who is smitten with one of his daughters. As he surveys the opening of the shop for a new day of business he notes a stranger whose eyes are intent upon his shop, or possibly on the upper floor where the family dwells. (from a review by Dagny)
130 pages, ebook
First published January 1, 1829
37 people are currently reading
2254 people want to read
About the author
Honoré de Balzac
8,394books4,229followersFrench writer Honoré de Balzac (born Honoré Balzac), a founder of the realist school of fiction, portrayed the panorama of society in a body of works, known collectively as
La comédie humaine
.
Honoré de Balzac authored 19th-century novels and plays. After the fall of Napoléon I Bonaparte in 1815, his magnum opus, a sequence of almost a hundred novels and plays, entitled, presents life in the years.
Due to keen observation of fine detail and unfiltered representation, European literature regards Balzac. He features renowned multifaceted, even complex, morally ambiguous, full lesser characters. Character well imbues inanimate objects; the city of Paris, a backdrop, takes on many qualities. He influenced many famous authors, including the novelists Marcel Proust, Émile Zola, Charles John Huffam Dickens, Gustave Flaubert, Henry James, and Jack Kerouac as well as important philosophers, such as Friedrich Engels. Many works of Balzac, made into films, continue to inspire.
An enthusiastic reader and independent thinker as a child, Balzac adapted with trouble to the teaching style of his grammar. His willful nature caused trouble throughout his life and frustrated his ambitions to succeed in the world of business. Balzac finished, and people then apprenticed him as a legal clerk, but after wearying of banal routine, he turned his back on law. He attempted a publisher, printer, businessman, critic, and politician before and during his career. He failed in these efforts. From his own experience, he reflects life difficulties and includes scenes.
Possibly due to his intense schedule and from health problems, Balzac suffered throughout his life. Financial and personal drama often strained his relationship with his family, and he lost more than one friend over critical reviews. In 1850, he married Ewelina Hańska, his longtime paramour; five months later, he passed away.
Honoré de Balzac authored 19th-century novels and plays. After the fall of Napoléon I Bonaparte in 1815, his magnum opus, a sequence of almost a hundred novels and plays, entitled, presents life in the years.
Due to keen observation of fine detail and unfiltered representation, European literature regards Balzac. He features renowned multifaceted, even complex, morally ambiguous, full lesser characters. Character well imbues inanimate objects; the city of Paris, a backdrop, takes on many qualities. He influenced many famous authors, including the novelists Marcel Proust, Émile Zola, Charles John Huffam Dickens, Gustave Flaubert, Henry James, and Jack Kerouac as well as important philosophers, such as Friedrich Engels. Many works of Balzac, made into films, continue to inspire.
An enthusiastic reader and independent thinker as a child, Balzac adapted with trouble to the teaching style of his grammar. His willful nature caused trouble throughout his life and frustrated his ambitions to succeed in the world of business. Balzac finished, and people then apprenticed him as a legal clerk, but after wearying of banal routine, he turned his back on law. He attempted a publisher, printer, businessman, critic, and politician before and during his career. He failed in these efforts. From his own experience, he reflects life difficulties and includes scenes.
Possibly due to his intense schedule and from health problems, Balzac suffered throughout his life. Financial and personal drama often strained his relationship with his family, and he lost more than one friend over critical reviews. In 1850, he married Ewelina Hańska, his longtime paramour; five months later, he passed away.
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December 20, 2023
3.5 stars rounded up (after some consideration)
�If the wife speaks Greek, while the husband speaks Latin, they will starve.�
(in French, un mari qui parlait grec et la femme latin, risquaient de mourir de faim)
Monsieur Guillaume, a respectable merchant and father of two girls, is convinced that two people must have similar backgrounds, many things in common and respect each other in order to make a marriage work.
The younger, Augustine, who is but just eighteen, falls in love with Theodore, a painter of aristocratic origins. He is talented, handsome, and refined. At least, he is able to give the impression of being such a man. The young girl is too naive to know that appearances can be deceiving.
Unlike the plot common to many sugary love stories, the problem of Augustine is not that her parents object to her marrying outside their circle, but quite the opposite.
Balzac shows where the marriage between two people with different backgrounds and experiences may lead.
After the first two years of matrimonial bliss, a sort of prolonged honeymoon, Augustine is neither happy nor even satisfied with her life.
Her husband’s passion has subsided, and he is about to find entertainment elsewhere. To add insult to injury, Theodore starts to be ashamed of his wife whom he considers unpolished, too bourgeois, and, unlike him, not capable of high impulses. In his opinion, poor Augustine, the daughter of the negociant, is not a match to all those women for whom the ocean of high society is the only possible habitat. Their relationships are doomed. Moreover, he thinks Augustine to be insipid, and Theodore is one of those "tyrants who are so vain as to insist that their slaves should be always cheerful.�
Augustine’s parents, having learned that their daughter is unhappy and humiliated, suggest that she obtain a divorce. Her father is eager to help her to this end. But Augustine refuses. Despite being cognizant of her husband being unfaithful and indifferent to her, she is determined to save their marriage and do all she can to return her husband’s love. Unfortunately for her, the young woman cannot cast off her disastrous marriage and start a new page of her life. In her own words, "it is not in her power not to feel."
Balzac, deliberately or not, shows that staying in and trying to prolong a toxic relationship is not only harmful but may also lead to a tragic end. Living with a partner should make us happier than staying alone, otherwise, we had better stop that relationship.
For many of us it seems obvious, but, at that time, the novel that implied this simple idea might be a useful reminder.
In the image of self-conceited Theodore I see a satire on those people who consider themselves above ‘mere mortals� because they think that they are more educated or have better manners and more taste. Often, when one takes a closer look at such pretensions, they see how ludicrous they are.
Today, Balzac may seem slightly preposterous with his astounding claims to be an expert in psychology of women.
Reading his generalizations in this regard might make one smile. For example:
And such unsubstantiated (to put it mildly) generalizations could also be found in other novels written by Balzac.
That being said, we must conclude that La Maison Du Chat-Qui-Pelote, in addition to being well-written, is quite convincing in its overall plot and details.
�If the wife speaks Greek, while the husband speaks Latin, they will starve.�
(in French, un mari qui parlait grec et la femme latin, risquaient de mourir de faim)
Monsieur Guillaume, a respectable merchant and father of two girls, is convinced that two people must have similar backgrounds, many things in common and respect each other in order to make a marriage work.
The younger, Augustine, who is but just eighteen, falls in love with Theodore, a painter of aristocratic origins. He is talented, handsome, and refined. At least, he is able to give the impression of being such a man. The young girl is too naive to know that appearances can be deceiving.
Unlike the plot common to many sugary love stories, the problem of Augustine is not that her parents object to her marrying outside their circle, but quite the opposite.
Balzac shows where the marriage between two people with different backgrounds and experiences may lead.
After the first two years of matrimonial bliss, a sort of prolonged honeymoon, Augustine is neither happy nor even satisfied with her life.
Her husband’s passion has subsided, and he is about to find entertainment elsewhere. To add insult to injury, Theodore starts to be ashamed of his wife whom he considers unpolished, too bourgeois, and, unlike him, not capable of high impulses. In his opinion, poor Augustine, the daughter of the negociant, is not a match to all those women for whom the ocean of high society is the only possible habitat. Their relationships are doomed. Moreover, he thinks Augustine to be insipid, and Theodore is one of those "tyrants who are so vain as to insist that their slaves should be always cheerful.�
Augustine’s parents, having learned that their daughter is unhappy and humiliated, suggest that she obtain a divorce. Her father is eager to help her to this end. But Augustine refuses. Despite being cognizant of her husband being unfaithful and indifferent to her, she is determined to save their marriage and do all she can to return her husband’s love. Unfortunately for her, the young woman cannot cast off her disastrous marriage and start a new page of her life. In her own words, "it is not in her power not to feel."
Balzac, deliberately or not, shows that staying in and trying to prolong a toxic relationship is not only harmful but may also lead to a tragic end. Living with a partner should make us happier than staying alone, otherwise, we had better stop that relationship.
For many of us it seems obvious, but, at that time, the novel that implied this simple idea might be a useful reminder.
In the image of self-conceited Theodore I see a satire on those people who consider themselves above ‘mere mortals� because they think that they are more educated or have better manners and more taste. Often, when one takes a closer look at such pretensions, they see how ludicrous they are.
Today, Balzac may seem slightly preposterous with his astounding claims to be an expert in psychology of women.
Reading his generalizations in this regard might make one smile. For example:
Her words being the words of love, she revealed in them, no doubt, a certain pliancy of mind and a certain refinement of speech; but she used the language common to all women when they find themselves plunged in passion, which seems to be their element.
And such unsubstantiated (to put it mildly) generalizations could also be found in other novels written by Balzac.
That being said, we must conclude that La Maison Du Chat-Qui-Pelote, in addition to being well-written, is quite convincing in its overall plot and details.
November 17, 2017
Το πρώτο βιβλίο που εντάσσεται στους 91 τόμους της “Ανθρώπινης Κωμωδίας� του Μπαλζάκ, είναι αυτή η νουβέλα. Ο τίτλος της, “La Maison du chat-qui-pelote�, θα μπορούσε να μεταφραστεί ως “� οίκος με τη γάτα που παίζει τένις�. Πρόκειται για το σπίτι του πλούσιου υφασματέμπορου Guillaume, στο ισόγειο του οποίου στεγάζεται η επιχείρησή του. Η πινακίδα του καταστήματος εικονίζει μια γάτα να κρατάει μια ρακέτα και να παίζει τένις με έναν άνθρωπο, εξ ου και ο τίτλος. Ο εμπορικός του οίκος είναι παλιός. Το σπίτι, στην εμπορική συνοικία Saint-Denis, αποτελεί απομεινάρι παλιότερων εποχών. Η οικογένεια του ιδιοκτήτη, οι δύο κόρες του, η αφοσιωμένη και αυστηρή σύζυγός του και οι μαθητευόμενοι βοηθοί του, ζουν λιτά, μετρημένα, μια ζωή πρακτική, χωρίς εντάσεις, χωρίς ανατροπές, όλα λειτουργούν σαν καλοκουρδισμένο ρολόι.
Ο Μπαλζάκ είχε ζήσει ένα διάστημα σε αυτήν τη γειτονιά και είχε σχετική εμπειρία γύρω από το συγκεκριμένο επάγγελμα, καθώς η μητέρα του προερχόταν από οικογένεια παρισινών υφασματεμπόρων. Το έργο μοιάζει με σύντομη παραβολή, με μια λογοτεχνική πραγματεία γύρω από έναν αταίριαστο γάμο. Βλέποντάς το έξω από την εποχή του, μπορεί κάποιος να συμπεράνει πως (σύμφωνα με τις συνήθειες εκείνων των καιρών) όταν δυο άνθρωποι παντρεύονται χωρίς να γνωρίζονται πραγματικά, σε βάθος, μπορεί να βρεθούν μπροστά σε δυσάρεστες εκπλήξεις. Ο αναλυτικός ρεαλισμός του Μπαλζάκ έχει εδώ, σε αυτό το έργο, μια φιλοσοφική τοποθέτηση, που δεν πάσχει από τον πρώιμο επιστημονισμό του Ζολά, άλλες εποχές βέβαια, ο Μπαλζάκ γράφει τη συγκεκριμένη νουβέλα στα 1830 και ο Ζολά την “Περιουσί� των Ρουγκόν� στα 1871, υπάρχει ένα χάσμα σαράντα ετών. Ωστόσο η παρατήρηση του Μπαλζάκ επάνω στα ανθρώπινα ήθη μου δίνει την εντύπωση πως δεν προχωράει πέρα από ένα σημείο. Δεν φαίνεται να επαναστατεί απέναντι στα κακώς κείμενα. Απλώς τα περιγράφει. Τα αποτυπώνει με ενάργεια. Προχωρώντας στην ανάγνωση των έργων του, θα είμαι σε θέση, ελπίζω, μελλοντικώς να επιβεβαιώσω ή να ανασκευάσω αυτό το συμπέρασμα, που προκύπτοντας από τα ελάχιστα όσα έχω διάβάσει, δεν είναι οριστικό. Θα δείξει ο χρόνος.
Αυτό που κάνει τόσο γοητευτικό τον ρεαλισμό, είναι πως συμπυκνώνει μέσα από παραδείγματα, το περιεχόμενο μιας κοινωνίας. Δεν εστιάζει μόνο στα γεγονότα, στους χαρακτήρες, στις συμπεριφορές, αλλά εμπεριέχει και διασώζει στοιχεία του υλικού πολιτισμού, δημιουργεί εικόνες που ζωντανεύουν την καθημερινότητα, δεν φείδεται περιγραφών και με τον καιρό, αυτό αποκτά τεράστια αξία. Να μπορέσει ένας άνθρωπος που ζει στις αρχές του 21ου αιώνα να ζήσει μέσα από τους ανθρώπους των αρχών του 19ου, είναι σπουδαία υπόθεση.
Έτσι στη συγκεκριμένη νουβέλα, μπορεί κάποιος να αντλήσει πληροφορίες για τον τρόπο ζωή μιας συγκεκριμένης κατηγορίας αστών, των εμπόρων. Η επιχείρηση έχει δομή πατριαρχική, περνάει από τον πατέρα στον γιο ή στον γαμπρό, αφού ολοκληρωθεί το απαραίτητο στάδιο μαθητείας. Τα κέρδη, τα οποία πρέπει να προστίθενται στο αρχικό κεφάλαιο, απαιτούν σωστούς ελιγμούς και προσαρμογή στις εκάστοτε πολιτικές συνθήκες (μέσα στο έργο κάνει αναφορά στο Loi du Maximum général, έναν νόμο που καθόριζε a priori τις τιμές της αγοράς, ώστε να καθιστά τα αγαθά προσιτά σε όλους τους πολίτες, που τελικά έφερε τα αντίθετα αποτελέσματα). Οι επενδύσεις γίνονται σε γη και ακίνητη περιουσία και ένα μέρος του κεφαλαίου παραμένει σε ρευστό, για να αντισταθμίζει τη χασούρα από τους κακοπληρωτές. Πάντα καραδοκεί ο κίνδυνος μιας χρεοκοπίας και το ιερό βιβλίο του εμπόρου είναι τα λογιστικά του κατάστιχα, εκεί διατηρούνται όλες οι αποδείξεις, εκεί φαίνεται κατά την ετήσια καταμέτρηση - απογραφή, αν η χρονιά πήγε καλά.
Ο έμπορος βασίζεται στο καλό του όνομα. Περιορίζει τις οικογενειακές εξόδους του σε κάποιες επιλεγμένες θεατρικές παραστάσεις και στην Κυριακάτικη θεία λειτουργία και δέχεται στο σαλόνι του επισκέψεις από λίγους και αυστηρά επιλεγμένους φίλους και συγγενείς.
Αυτήν την περιορισμένη, σχεδόν μοναστική ζωή έρχεται να ανατρέψει ο νεαρός ζωγράφος, Théodore de Sommervieux, όταν αποφασίζει να ρίξει μια ματιά στο εσωτερικό αυτού του σπιτιού.
Το έργο από μόνο του μπορεί να μοιάζει σύντομο και ελλιπές. Ωστόσο αποτελεί τμήμα ενός ευρύτερου συνόλου. Και ως τέτοιο το κρίνω. Σαν εκείνους τους μεσαιωνικούς καμβάδες όπου πολλές μικρές σκηνές, εξαιρετικής τελειότητας, πλαισιώνουν το κεντρικό θέμα.
Ο Μπαλζάκ είχε ζήσει ένα διάστημα σε αυτήν τη γειτονιά και είχε σχετική εμπειρία γύρω από το συγκεκριμένο επάγγελμα, καθώς η μητέρα του προερχόταν από οικογένεια παρισινών υφασματεμπόρων. Το έργο μοιάζει με σύντομη παραβολή, με μια λογοτεχνική πραγματεία γύρω από έναν αταίριαστο γάμο. Βλέποντάς το έξω από την εποχή του, μπορεί κάποιος να συμπεράνει πως (σύμφωνα με τις συνήθειες εκείνων των καιρών) όταν δυο άνθρωποι παντρεύονται χωρίς να γνωρίζονται πραγματικά, σε βάθος, μπορεί να βρεθούν μπροστά σε δυσάρεστες εκπλήξεις. Ο αναλυτικός ρεαλισμός του Μπαλζάκ έχει εδώ, σε αυτό το έργο, μια φιλοσοφική τοποθέτηση, που δεν πάσχει από τον πρώιμο επιστημονισμό του Ζολά, άλλες εποχές βέβαια, ο Μπαλζάκ γράφει τη συγκεκριμένη νουβέλα στα 1830 και ο Ζολά την “Περιουσί� των Ρουγκόν� στα 1871, υπάρχει ένα χάσμα σαράντα ετών. Ωστόσο η παρατήρηση του Μπαλζάκ επάνω στα ανθρώπινα ήθη μου δίνει την εντύπωση πως δεν προχωράει πέρα από ένα σημείο. Δεν φαίνεται να επαναστατεί απέναντι στα κακώς κείμενα. Απλώς τα περιγράφει. Τα αποτυπώνει με ενάργεια. Προχωρώντας στην ανάγνωση των έργων του, θα είμαι σε θέση, ελπίζω, μελλοντικώς να επιβεβαιώσω ή να ανασκευάσω αυτό το συμπέρασμα, που προκύπτοντας από τα ελάχιστα όσα έχω διάβάσει, δεν είναι οριστικό. Θα δείξει ο χρόνος.
Αυτό που κάνει τόσο γοητευτικό τον ρεαλισμό, είναι πως συμπυκνώνει μέσα από παραδείγματα, το περιεχόμενο μιας κοινωνίας. Δεν εστιάζει μόνο στα γεγονότα, στους χαρακτήρες, στις συμπεριφορές, αλλά εμπεριέχει και διασώζει στοιχεία του υλικού πολιτισμού, δημιουργεί εικόνες που ζωντανεύουν την καθημερινότητα, δεν φείδεται περιγραφών και με τον καιρό, αυτό αποκτά τεράστια αξία. Να μπορέσει ένας άνθρωπος που ζει στις αρχές του 21ου αιώνα να ζήσει μέσα από τους ανθρώπους των αρχών του 19ου, είναι σπουδαία υπόθεση.
Έτσι στη συγκεκριμένη νουβέλα, μπορεί κάποιος να αντλήσει πληροφορίες για τον τρόπο ζωή μιας συγκεκριμένης κατηγορίας αστών, των εμπόρων. Η επιχείρηση έχει δομή πατριαρχική, περνάει από τον πατέρα στον γιο ή στον γαμπρό, αφού ολοκληρωθεί το απαραίτητο στάδιο μαθητείας. Τα κέρδη, τα οποία πρέπει να προστίθενται στο αρχικό κεφάλαιο, απαιτούν σωστούς ελιγμούς και προσαρμογή στις εκάστοτε πολιτικές συνθήκες (μέσα στο έργο κάνει αναφορά στο Loi du Maximum général, έναν νόμο που καθόριζε a priori τις τιμές της αγοράς, ώστε να καθιστά τα αγαθά προσιτά σε όλους τους πολίτες, που τελικά έφερε τα αντίθετα αποτελέσματα). Οι επενδύσεις γίνονται σε γη και ακίνητη περιουσία και ένα μέρος του κεφαλαίου παραμένει σε ρευστό, για να αντισταθμίζει τη χασούρα από τους κακοπληρωτές. Πάντα καραδοκεί ο κίνδυνος μιας χρεοκοπίας και το ιερό βιβλίο του εμπόρου είναι τα λογιστικά του κατάστιχα, εκεί διατηρούνται όλες οι αποδείξεις, εκεί φαίνεται κατά την ετήσια καταμέτρηση - απογραφή, αν η χρονιά πήγε καλά.
Ο έμπορος βασίζεται στο καλό του όνομα. Περιορίζει τις οικογενειακές εξόδους του σε κάποιες επιλεγμένες θεατρικές παραστάσεις και στην Κυριακάτικη θεία λειτουργία και δέχεται στο σαλόνι του επισκέψεις από λίγους και αυστηρά επιλεγμένους φίλους και συγγενείς.
Αυτήν την περιορισμένη, σχεδόν μοναστική ζωή έρχεται να ανατρέψει ο νεαρός ζωγράφος, Théodore de Sommervieux, όταν αποφασίζει να ρίξει μια ματιά στο εσωτερικό αυτού του σπιτιού.
Το έργο από μόνο του μπορεί να μοιάζει σύντομο και ελλιπές. Ωστόσο αποτελεί τμήμα ενός ευρύτερου συνόλου. Και ως τέτοιο το κρίνω. Σαν εκείνους τους μεσαιωνικούς καμβάδες όπου πολλές μικρές σκηνές, εξαιρετικής τελειότητας, πλαισιώνουν το κεντρικό θέμα.
January 6, 2025
Valutazione: ⭐⭐� 1/2
Questo romanzo breve del 1829 è uno dei primi lavori letterari del grande autore francese dell’Ottocento che, pur scritto a soli 29 anni, è stato sempre apprezzato dai lettori e dalla critica e poi incluso nel grande progetto delle “Scene della Vita Privata� che negli anni andrà ad ingrossarsi di altri racconti e romanzi. Qui si narra la nascita, il realizzarsi e infine il fallimento di un grande amore tra il giovane artista Theodor de Sommervieux e la bellissima Augustine, figlia del ricco commerciante di stoffe Guillaume: un amore vero, sincero, appassionato che tuttavia non regge al tempo per il diverso modo di interpretare la vita, le relazioni, i sentimenti tra i due giovani sposi: concreta, dignitosa e virtuosa lei quanto spensierato, brillante e fatuo lui.
Questo romanzo breve del 1829 è uno dei primi lavori letterari del grande autore francese dell’Ottocento che, pur scritto a soli 29 anni, è stato sempre apprezzato dai lettori e dalla critica e poi incluso nel grande progetto delle “Scene della Vita Privata� che negli anni andrà ad ingrossarsi di altri racconti e romanzi. Qui si narra la nascita, il realizzarsi e infine il fallimento di un grande amore tra il giovane artista Theodor de Sommervieux e la bellissima Augustine, figlia del ricco commerciante di stoffe Guillaume: un amore vero, sincero, appassionato che tuttavia non regge al tempo per il diverso modo di interpretare la vita, le relazioni, i sentimenti tra i due giovani sposi: concreta, dignitosa e virtuosa lei quanto spensierato, brillante e fatuo lui.
January 23, 2022
Balzac begins his human comedy and scenes from private life with a look at marriage; marriage for passion, marriage for money, and marriage across class. It’s short, and to the point. It appears simple on the surface but there are plenty of ideas and observations here. The ending is sad for the sweet Augustine. What a waste to love the artist, Sommervieux, who comes across as a selfish collector of pretty things! The older sister, Virginie, married to the apprentice Lebas (who also loved Augustine) seems to have the better deal. Their marriage may not be passionate but their life appears comfortable and less austere than their childhood when her father ran the business.
October 17, 2013
Quite some time ago I promised myself that I would begin my journey through the tunnel of numerous Balzac's creations and so I just did, with this very first short story that introduces to "The Human Comedy" which is thick piece of work to say the least. Also, may I stress that I feel utterly under-educated to judge his work properly so I would rather just evade from it - for now.
What I can and definitely will take the opportunity to do, is to say that I feel very much overwhelmed having just finished this. I did read the foreword before I started reading the actual story, by both the translator from French and Balzac himself who wrote an introduction to the series, and I must say in one, the translator was absolutely right - the writing style takes time to get used to and it is not - by all means - an effortless read. Personally, at times it felt like a mixer trying to stir a very thick pancake dough, it managed through but it took time and the mechanism almost overheated. This is what I intend to do though - get used to the writing style which in itself is divine, rich and elaborate but tiring. Not in a million years that would be an actual course of thoughts. It was polished into perfection until it shone too bright.
This Balzac's flaw is prominent but taking into account his creative intelligence and the so-called 'bigger picture' this is supposed to be about, I only feel encouraged to continue and dig into some substancial depth.
What is thrilling and makes me this enthusiastic about continuing, is that this is French society of the first part of XIXth century being painted vividly and brutally, in all shades of colours, flawed and not good OR bad but in the way Balzac perceived them in their natural habitat. To me, it feels like a history lesson set among the facts but being told as a variety of anecdotes.. meaning, I am not equipped to say no to such a recipe for a satisfactory read.
..onto the next!
What I can and definitely will take the opportunity to do, is to say that I feel very much overwhelmed having just finished this. I did read the foreword before I started reading the actual story, by both the translator from French and Balzac himself who wrote an introduction to the series, and I must say in one, the translator was absolutely right - the writing style takes time to get used to and it is not - by all means - an effortless read. Personally, at times it felt like a mixer trying to stir a very thick pancake dough, it managed through but it took time and the mechanism almost overheated. This is what I intend to do though - get used to the writing style which in itself is divine, rich and elaborate but tiring. Not in a million years that would be an actual course of thoughts. It was polished into perfection until it shone too bright.
This Balzac's flaw is prominent but taking into account his creative intelligence and the so-called 'bigger picture' this is supposed to be about, I only feel encouraged to continue and dig into some substancial depth.
What is thrilling and makes me this enthusiastic about continuing, is that this is French society of the first part of XIXth century being painted vividly and brutally, in all shades of colours, flawed and not good OR bad but in the way Balzac perceived them in their natural habitat. To me, it feels like a history lesson set among the facts but being told as a variety of anecdotes.. meaning, I am not equipped to say no to such a recipe for a satisfactory read.
..onto the next!
Read
February 10, 2025Il m'est difficile de ne pas penser à l'affaire récente où une startup innovante, acclamée par les médias, s'est avérée être une escroquerie bien orchestrée. Ce qui est fascinant, c'est à quel point les dynamiques de " La Maison du chat qui pelote " - résonnent encore aujourd'hui. Le mariage, cet arrangement économique déguisé en union sacrée, n'est-il pas la métaphore parfaite des alliances stratégiques contemporaines où l'amour et les émotions sont relégués au second plan ?
Et puis, il y a ce " leurre " ultime, la croyance naïve en la justice " divine " , que Balzac critique avec une acuité désarmante , comme d'hab. Nous nous faisons encore berner par l'idée que l'ordre moral triomphera toujours, que les méchants seront punis, et les bons récompensés. Mais non. La réalité est bien différente. Les injustices subsistent, les véritables motivations restent cachées, et la vérité est un mirage qui échappe à notre emprise.
C'est là que réside la véritable ironie - nous croyons tous à ce poisson d'avril collectif, cette illusion bien entretenue que le bien et le mal seront toujours clairement traités en conséquence. Mais, comme dans le livre de Balzac, les apparences sont trompeuses, et ceux qui semblent prospérer, ne le font pas nécessairement par la vertu.
Ce " leurre ", cette croyance en une justice universelle, est peut-être le plus grand mythe auquel nous nous accrochons tous, aveuglés par l'espoir d'un monde plus juste et équitable.
Alors, fais de chaque expérience une leçon, et de chaque rencontre un apprentissage, mon lecteur. C'est ce que Balzac vous enseignerait aujourd'hui.
Et puis, il y a ce " leurre " ultime, la croyance naïve en la justice " divine " , que Balzac critique avec une acuité désarmante , comme d'hab. Nous nous faisons encore berner par l'idée que l'ordre moral triomphera toujours, que les méchants seront punis, et les bons récompensés. Mais non. La réalité est bien différente. Les injustices subsistent, les véritables motivations restent cachées, et la vérité est un mirage qui échappe à notre emprise.
C'est là que réside la véritable ironie - nous croyons tous à ce poisson d'avril collectif, cette illusion bien entretenue que le bien et le mal seront toujours clairement traités en conséquence. Mais, comme dans le livre de Balzac, les apparences sont trompeuses, et ceux qui semblent prospérer, ne le font pas nécessairement par la vertu.
Ce " leurre ", cette croyance en une justice universelle, est peut-être le plus grand mythe auquel nous nous accrochons tous, aveuglés par l'espoir d'un monde plus juste et équitable.
Alors, fais de chaque expérience une leçon, et de chaque rencontre un apprentissage, mon lecteur. C'est ce que Balzac vous enseignerait aujourd'hui.
June 5, 2023
Чудесно начало на "Човешка Комедия " един колосален труд на Балзак , който обхваща човешките отношения като цяло , язвите в обществото, къде свършва добротата и още много въпроси на които Балзак смята да ни отговори в произведенията си .
Отдавна исках да започна тези произведения по хронологичен ред и смятам че този момент настъпи .
Отдавна исках да започна тези произведения по хронологичен ред и смятам че този момент настъпи .
October 1, 2024
Tra le prime opere di Balzac, Alla casa del gatto che gioca a palla (in originale La Maison du chat-qui-pelote) è una storia abbastanza breve che, all'interno della Comédie umaine, si colloca tra le Scene della vita privata.
La vicenda narrata è semplice e non troppo originale: nella Parigi del Primo Impero (inizio '800) una ragazza di solida ma non raffinata famiglia borghese sposa un pittore di nobili natali. L'amore di lui è travolgente e inebriante (nonché un'assoluta novità per la fanciulla), ma dura poco. Dopo qualche anno lei non sa più dove sbattere la testa per riconquistarlo. Morale: bisogna sposarsi tra pari.
Eppure è stata una lettura gradevolissima, a tratti quasi esaltante, perché Balzac ha un modo di descrivere le cose che catapulta il lettore dentro la scena, per non parlare della caratterizzazione dei personaggi, che rivela una raffinata conoscenza della natura umana. E la ciliegina sulla torta è la punta di ironia con cui l'autore racconta delle abitudini, delle fissazioni, delle ottusità e infine dei vizi della porzione di umanità posta sotto la sua lente di ingrandimento.
Madame Guillaume, figlia di Monsieur Chevrel, se ne stava così dritta dietro il banco del negozio che sembrava l'avessero impalata lì, come più di una volta qualche burlone aveva detto. Il suo viso magro e lungo rivelava una devozione eccessiva: priva di ogni grazia e di modi gentili, anche ora che andava per la sessantina si ornava il capo con una cuffia dalla foggia invariabile, guarnita di frange come quella di una vedova. Tutto il vicinato la chiamava "la suora portinaia". Parlava poco, e nei gesti aveva qualcosa dei movimenti a scatto del telegrafo. L'occhio, scialbo come quello dei gatti, sembrava voler incolpare tutti della sua bruttezza.
(Giusto per dare un'idea.)
4 stelline perché è breve e dopotutto devo lasciare margine per quando leggerò i capolavori.
La vicenda narrata è semplice e non troppo originale: nella Parigi del Primo Impero (inizio '800) una ragazza di solida ma non raffinata famiglia borghese sposa un pittore di nobili natali. L'amore di lui è travolgente e inebriante (nonché un'assoluta novità per la fanciulla), ma dura poco. Dopo qualche anno lei non sa più dove sbattere la testa per riconquistarlo. Morale: bisogna sposarsi tra pari.
Eppure è stata una lettura gradevolissima, a tratti quasi esaltante, perché Balzac ha un modo di descrivere le cose che catapulta il lettore dentro la scena, per non parlare della caratterizzazione dei personaggi, che rivela una raffinata conoscenza della natura umana. E la ciliegina sulla torta è la punta di ironia con cui l'autore racconta delle abitudini, delle fissazioni, delle ottusità e infine dei vizi della porzione di umanità posta sotto la sua lente di ingrandimento.
Madame Guillaume, figlia di Monsieur Chevrel, se ne stava così dritta dietro il banco del negozio che sembrava l'avessero impalata lì, come più di una volta qualche burlone aveva detto. Il suo viso magro e lungo rivelava una devozione eccessiva: priva di ogni grazia e di modi gentili, anche ora che andava per la sessantina si ornava il capo con una cuffia dalla foggia invariabile, guarnita di frange come quella di una vedova. Tutto il vicinato la chiamava "la suora portinaia". Parlava poco, e nei gesti aveva qualcosa dei movimenti a scatto del telegrafo. L'occhio, scialbo come quello dei gatti, sembrava voler incolpare tutti della sua bruttezza.
(Giusto per dare un'idea.)
4 stelline perché è breve e dopotutto devo lasciare margine per quando leggerò i capolavori.
November 25, 2024
Mr. Guillaume the fabric merchant predicted it to his one daughter: beware of marrying someone from a higher social circle. Nevertheless, that did happen to his daughter Augustine. Some time after she married a painter of noble birth, the relationship became strained, due to her lack of knowledge and social skills. On the other hand, Guillaume's accountant has made do with the other daughter, Virginie.
In this short moral novel, Balzac manages to paint an excellent picture of the social relations in France at the end of the 18th and beginning of the 19th century. It forms a literary fine-drawn start to his enormous project, of which many parts would follow. JM
In this short moral novel, Balzac manages to paint an excellent picture of the social relations in France at the end of the 18th and beginning of the 19th century. It forms a literary fine-drawn start to his enormous project, of which many parts would follow. JM
February 22, 2022
Es la primera historia de su serie de la Comedia Humana y pienso seguir con ella. Aquí reflexiona sobre los estragos que puede causar un matrimonio entre dos que no tienen nada en común, ni de clase ni de cultura ni siquiera mental y lo adereza con el detalle de que si además de esto se convierte en una relación tóxica, entonces lo mejor sería cortar por lo sano. Sin embargo, Augustine no opta por zanjarlo...
June 12, 2021
Honore de Balzac's The Human Comedy starts out with a bang and I am really looking forward to reading all these stories this year! The first story was "At the Sign of the Cat and Racket" shows the difference in social standing which can make marriage life unhappy and many misunderstandings. Balzac shows the differences in commercial marriages verses society marriage. The artist temperament and a pious being can be a mix insoluble.
I have read a couple of Balzac's The Human Comedy stories that were adapted for OTR, Old Time Radio and loved them, so I knew this year I will have many favorites and this is one. Marcel Proust mentions Balzac quite often in his "In Search Of Lost Time" so that added extra interest. Balzac is still as fresh as when first written years ago.
Story in short- An artist falls in love with a young innocent girl, and their marriage takes a rocky turn.
I did not read this edition but from a collection of his works.
💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢SPOILER ALERT 💢💢💢💢💢
I was happy when I thought that the duchess seemed to want to put the married couple together but her giving the painting, she knew it would draw Theodore to her instead. I was crying thinking of Augustine and that unworthy husband.
An artist is outside The Cat and Racket watching the scene inside and especially the 3 floor where he sees Augustine Guillaume. He has been away but remembers this home from before leaving for Italy. The Guillaume household is very conservative and strict and austere, money is made but very little spent. Virginie is the oldest and loves Joseph Lebas, who is an orphan assistant to Guillaume but he loves Augustine. The artist, Theodore de Sommervieux has painted the girl he loves Augustine, she is 18. The paintings are masterpieces and his success is seen. She is allowed to go see the celebrated paintings with her cousin, unknown it was her but soon finding out the artist says he loves her. He looks for an interview and follows her to church. She has fallen in love with him and her mother finds out the glances she gives him. The parents are against marriage of different status, the artist is going to be a baron. Guillaume thought that Joseph would marry Virginie but finds out he loves Augustine. The cousin, Madame Roguin tells the Guillaume about the advantages of marrying the artist and the parents cave not for the status but for the increase to business. Theodore and Augustine are married in splendour and right after Virginia and Joseph, who is a partner are married austere. Theodore and Augustine are happily married but after a couple of years, Augustine loves him intensely but his love diminishes because he sees she will never understand him and art and culture that she has not the fine refinement and is too moral. She sees the change in him and seeks advice from her sister and brother in law, who never had the love that she had but are happy in understanding themselves and their life. She then see her parents that are in a home that is richer but they seem to list their happiness of their home and business. Augustine tells her parents and they suggest divorce but she leaves knowing she can not do that. She then decides to see Madame la Duchesse de Carigliano who she sees is false but then the Duchesse seems to give advice to help her keep her husband. I thought she would help her but the painting of Augustine that was a masterpiece but when Theodore comes home he sees the painting band does not see Augustine but sees his mistress returned something of himself and is enraged. Married at 18, dead at 27. Her child without a mother.
I have read a couple of Balzac's The Human Comedy stories that were adapted for OTR, Old Time Radio and loved them, so I knew this year I will have many favorites and this is one. Marcel Proust mentions Balzac quite often in his "In Search Of Lost Time" so that added extra interest. Balzac is still as fresh as when first written years ago.
Story in short- An artist falls in love with a young innocent girl, and their marriage takes a rocky turn.
I did not read this edition but from a collection of his works.
💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢SPOILER ALERT 💢💢💢💢💢
I was happy when I thought that the duchess seemed to want to put the married couple together but her giving the painting, she knew it would draw Theodore to her instead. I was crying thinking of Augustine and that unworthy husband.
An artist is outside The Cat and Racket watching the scene inside and especially the 3 floor where he sees Augustine Guillaume. He has been away but remembers this home from before leaving for Italy. The Guillaume household is very conservative and strict and austere, money is made but very little spent. Virginie is the oldest and loves Joseph Lebas, who is an orphan assistant to Guillaume but he loves Augustine. The artist, Theodore de Sommervieux has painted the girl he loves Augustine, she is 18. The paintings are masterpieces and his success is seen. She is allowed to go see the celebrated paintings with her cousin, unknown it was her but soon finding out the artist says he loves her. He looks for an interview and follows her to church. She has fallen in love with him and her mother finds out the glances she gives him. The parents are against marriage of different status, the artist is going to be a baron. Guillaume thought that Joseph would marry Virginie but finds out he loves Augustine. The cousin, Madame Roguin tells the Guillaume about the advantages of marrying the artist and the parents cave not for the status but for the increase to business. Theodore and Augustine are married in splendour and right after Virginia and Joseph, who is a partner are married austere. Theodore and Augustine are happily married but after a couple of years, Augustine loves him intensely but his love diminishes because he sees she will never understand him and art and culture that she has not the fine refinement and is too moral. She sees the change in him and seeks advice from her sister and brother in law, who never had the love that she had but are happy in understanding themselves and their life. She then see her parents that are in a home that is richer but they seem to list their happiness of their home and business. Augustine tells her parents and they suggest divorce but she leaves knowing she can not do that. She then decides to see Madame la Duchesse de Carigliano who she sees is false but then the Duchesse seems to give advice to help her keep her husband. I thought she would help her but the painting of Augustine that was a masterpiece but when Theodore comes home he sees the painting band does not see Augustine but sees his mistress returned something of himself and is enraged. Married at 18, dead at 27. Her child without a mother.
September 5, 2014
This is another of those stories where Balzac contrasts marriage for love with marriage for material gain, and this time marriage for love is sabotaged by the wife's lack of education.
There are two daughters, Virginie (plain and boring) and Augustine (gorgeous and desirable). Two chaps fall in love with Augustine, and nobody falls for Virginie.
Her father, a successful tailor who serves the wealthy and powerful, manages to marry her off to one of his apprentices, who has to take second-best because Augustine falls for a painter and marries him instead. Alas, she is out of her depth, because when the first fine flush of passion wears off, Theodore de Sommervieux becomes bored because Augustine's parents have failed to educate her for society. They live a prudent life to the point of parsimony, and so she isn't witty, hasn't read anything and can't say anything intelligent about art or music. So Theodore takes his pleasures elsewhere and although Augustine humiliates herself trying to get him back it doesn't work and it all ends badly.
And Virginie who didn't marry for love has settled into contentment.
There are two daughters, Virginie (plain and boring) and Augustine (gorgeous and desirable). Two chaps fall in love with Augustine, and nobody falls for Virginie.
Her father, a successful tailor who serves the wealthy and powerful, manages to marry her off to one of his apprentices, who has to take second-best because Augustine falls for a painter and marries him instead. Alas, she is out of her depth, because when the first fine flush of passion wears off, Theodore de Sommervieux becomes bored because Augustine's parents have failed to educate her for society. They live a prudent life to the point of parsimony, and so she isn't witty, hasn't read anything and can't say anything intelligent about art or music. So Theodore takes his pleasures elsewhere and although Augustine humiliates herself trying to get him back it doesn't work and it all ends badly.
And Virginie who didn't marry for love has settled into contentment.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 12, 2019
Bir evin tasvirini dışardan bakarak en iyi anlatan, resmen evi ressam gibi çizen, içindekilerin kim olduğunu ince ince anlatan Balzac'ın sevdiğim eseri.
May 23, 2025
Not sure why it is considered a comedy! Very tedious, and annoyingly accepting of classism.
February 28, 2017
Primera novela del conjunto de obras llamada "La Comedia Humana".
Es bastante corta esta novela, pero logra desarrollar bastante bien el tema de la diferencia de clases, expresado esto a a través de una forma de ver la realidad de manera distinta. Creo que como todo Balzac se pueden sacar muchos análisis, que no haré. Esta primera novela me motiva para seguir con las otras de la misma saga.
Es bastante corta esta novela, pero logra desarrollar bastante bien el tema de la diferencia de clases, expresado esto a a través de una forma de ver la realidad de manera distinta. Creo que como todo Balzac se pueden sacar muchos análisis, que no haré. Esta primera novela me motiva para seguir con las otras de la misma saga.
January 7, 2014
La Maison Du Chat-qui-pelote est une oeuvre de Balzac à ne pas rater.
Elle rend Cendrillon une fille d'un drapier et son prince charmant un peintre talentueux. Cependant, l'auteur ne s'arrête pas à la superficie du bonheur éternel ; il est beaucoup plus realiste et étend sa perception sur les champs de combat entre amour passionné et amour raisonné.
Simple et naïve,recroquevillée dans son monde machinal et fermé, l'heroïne Augustine va-t-elle reussir à sauver son mariage avec le peintre cultivé et mondain, ouvert a l'etendue du monde artistique?
C'est en ces quelques pages que Balzac traite la philosophie de la vie conjugale dont le paradoxe demeure jusqu'a nos jours irrésolu.
L'amour parfait peut-il resister au fil des années à la difference hiérarchique et a la distance culturelle?
Avec une description aussi precise que raffinée,Balzac nous transporte au sein du quartier parisien et nous insère dans le monde des draperies et du commerce d'une part et dans l'univers des peintures et de l'art d'autre part.
Mariés ou pas, vous devez lire cette nouvelle prodigieuse et savourer son esthétique.
Choisiriez-vous la prudence qui dure ou la passion qui detruit?
Elle rend Cendrillon une fille d'un drapier et son prince charmant un peintre talentueux. Cependant, l'auteur ne s'arrête pas à la superficie du bonheur éternel ; il est beaucoup plus realiste et étend sa perception sur les champs de combat entre amour passionné et amour raisonné.
Simple et naïve,recroquevillée dans son monde machinal et fermé, l'heroïne Augustine va-t-elle reussir à sauver son mariage avec le peintre cultivé et mondain, ouvert a l'etendue du monde artistique?
C'est en ces quelques pages que Balzac traite la philosophie de la vie conjugale dont le paradoxe demeure jusqu'a nos jours irrésolu.
L'amour parfait peut-il resister au fil des années à la difference hiérarchique et a la distance culturelle?
Avec une description aussi precise que raffinée,Balzac nous transporte au sein du quartier parisien et nous insère dans le monde des draperies et du commerce d'une part et dans l'univers des peintures et de l'art d'autre part.
Mariés ou pas, vous devez lire cette nouvelle prodigieuse et savourer son esthétique.
Choisiriez-vous la prudence qui dure ou la passion qui detruit?
October 18, 2011
Dans ce roman, Balzac met en opposition deux types de mariage. Le premier est le mariage de raison et le second est le mariage d'amour. Balzac essaie de nous faire comprendre ici qu'un mariage d'amour n'est pas absolument un gage de réussite comme tout le monde le croit. L'amour peut parfois être bien éphémère. 7
Le mariage de raison dans ce livre, c'est celui de Virgine et de Lepas. C'est celui dans ce texte qui sera le plus solide. Le mariage d'amour, c'est celui d'Augustine et de Théodore. Dans celui-ci, même si les les débuts de ce couples sont remplis d'amour, ce mariage s'écroulera vite à cause du manque d'atome crochu entre les conjoints.
Dans ce roman, Balzac expose des idées qui sont encore d'actualité en 2011. Comme quoi la nature humaine change peu.
Ce roman fait partie des Scènes de la vie privée dans la Comédie Humaine.
Le mariage de raison dans ce livre, c'est celui de Virgine et de Lepas. C'est celui dans ce texte qui sera le plus solide. Le mariage d'amour, c'est celui d'Augustine et de Théodore. Dans celui-ci, même si les les débuts de ce couples sont remplis d'amour, ce mariage s'écroulera vite à cause du manque d'atome crochu entre les conjoints.
Dans ce roman, Balzac expose des idées qui sont encore d'actualité en 2011. Comme quoi la nature humaine change peu.
Ce roman fait partie des Scènes de la vie privée dans la Comédie Humaine.
November 7, 2019
The difficulty for this 21st Century reader is that Balzac viewed this well constructed narrative as a comedy and not a tragedy. The world view that sets the social order into strata defined by attitudes and behaviours that cannot be penetrated or crossed by education, effort or intellect in the end consigns this for me to the status of an historical curiosity.
It would be different if the novella in any way questioned, or saw as sad, the underlying social structure. To my surprise, the sometimes powerful prose contains a total acceptance of, even advocacy for, it. The comic elements carry no sign of respect for the human condition nor offer of hope.
Tragic.
It would be different if the novella in any way questioned, or saw as sad, the underlying social structure. To my surprise, the sometimes powerful prose contains a total acceptance of, even advocacy for, it. The comic elements carry no sign of respect for the human condition nor offer of hope.
Tragic.
Read
May 27, 2014Somewhat depressing read about a devoted wife who falls in love with a painter, and vice versa. As usual, Balzac delivers on character development and mood, and his genius ends the tale with a variety of relationship/status questions. This will only take you an afternoon to read. The novella sheds light on the strict social status of mid-19th century Paris, and the intricate interplay between the sexes trapped in the city's dirty web.
January 4, 2019
It’s a slow burn. Lovely pacing. Wonderful descriptions. Written from a distance—like the author was afraid or did not want himself or his readers to get too close too intimate with the characters, yet, he perfectly captures the characters. I cared about the characters, but I did not live in them.
The dissent of some of these relationships is described incredibly well.
I would read this again and could jump right in to the next book in the series.
The dissent of some of these relationships is described incredibly well.
I would read this again and could jump right in to the next book in the series.
January 6, 2020
3.5*
I think that it is possible that with a more modern translation, I might have given this novella 4*. Even so, I enjoyed Balzac's writing style and could easily understand how this was considered a "Scene from Private Life" as it is primarily concerned with the difficulties facing a young naive new wife when she and her husband begin to realize how different their background and ideas are.
I think that it is possible that with a more modern translation, I might have given this novella 4*. Even so, I enjoyed Balzac's writing style and could easily understand how this was considered a "Scene from Private Life" as it is primarily concerned with the difficulties facing a young naive new wife when she and her husband begin to realize how different their background and ideas are.
December 30, 2011
Damnit Balzac, what was that?
January 3, 2021
Starts slowly, descriptively and builds to a dramatic conclusion. A great introduction to The Human Comedy.
May 7, 2024
3,5 stele.
Piatra de temelie a Comediei Umane, una dintre cele mai influente și impresionante creații ale istoriei literaturii europene. Nuvela lui Balzac nu este o capodoperă, însă conține câteva dintre temele esențiale ale scriitorului francez: viața nu este altceva decât o luptă permanentă, o competiție în care nu va reuși decât acela care este lipsit de scrupule, iubirea nu este decât un sentiment efemer, ce, invariabil, va fi înlocuită de plictiseală etc. Din acest punct de vedere, principalul punct forte al Prăvăliei "La motanul cu mingea" este scena "confruntării" dintre sărmana Augustine, fiica cea mică a negustorului de postavuri Guillaume și soția nefericită a pictorului Théodore de Sommervieux și doamna ducesă de Carigliano, amanta soțului ei, ce ia o turnură destul de neașteptată, dar nu poate să împiedice finalul tragic.
O ultimă observație: oare cine își mai amintește că primul titlu apărut în colecția Biblioteca Polirom (în anul 1998) a fost Proscrișii, un volum de povestiri de Balzac în care este inclusă și cea de față? Eu uitasem complet acest lucru, inclusiv faptul că am citit volumul cu mulți ani în urmă (dovadă semnele cu creionul de pe marginea unor pagini), dar nu mai am decât amintiri foarte vagi. Lectură plăcută!
Piatra de temelie a Comediei Umane, una dintre cele mai influente și impresionante creații ale istoriei literaturii europene. Nuvela lui Balzac nu este o capodoperă, însă conține câteva dintre temele esențiale ale scriitorului francez: viața nu este altceva decât o luptă permanentă, o competiție în care nu va reuși decât acela care este lipsit de scrupule, iubirea nu este decât un sentiment efemer, ce, invariabil, va fi înlocuită de plictiseală etc. Din acest punct de vedere, principalul punct forte al Prăvăliei "La motanul cu mingea" este scena "confruntării" dintre sărmana Augustine, fiica cea mică a negustorului de postavuri Guillaume și soția nefericită a pictorului Théodore de Sommervieux și doamna ducesă de Carigliano, amanta soțului ei, ce ia o turnură destul de neașteptată, dar nu poate să împiedice finalul tragic.
O ultimă observație: oare cine își mai amintește că primul titlu apărut în colecția Biblioteca Polirom (în anul 1998) a fost Proscrișii, un volum de povestiri de Balzac în care este inclusă și cea de față? Eu uitasem complet acest lucru, inclusiv faptul că am citit volumul cu mulți ani în urmă (dovadă semnele cu creionul de pe marginea unor pagini), dar nu mai am decât amintiri foarte vagi. Lectură plăcută!
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October 23, 2021This is the first in Balzac's La Comédie Humaine, his unfinished attempt to show the human version of . As such, I expect it is to be all about our vanities, follies and attempts to grab as much as we can for ourselves and who can say he/she has not attempted to do just that at least once in life? Heard any snakes rustling in the bushes? Tickling your ears? 'Eves' out there, reached for any apples lately? 'Adams', let yourselves be conned by those 'too-good-to-be-true' offers?
Two sisters, Virginie, the elder, plain one and Augustine, the younger, pretty one must be married and their conservative parents try to do what is best for each, but Augustine sets her will against her Papa's wishes. Unlike so many American romances, this story doesn't end with, "and they all lived happily ever after!" It concerns the marriages of both daughters and how they are lived out; what really happens when one marries without consideration of character or future.
A sobering memorable quick read. Would that more young people would read this, instead of so much else that is so popular these days.
I keep asking myself, "What is so bad about Balzac?!"
Two sisters, Virginie, the elder, plain one and Augustine, the younger, pretty one must be married and their conservative parents try to do what is best for each, but Augustine sets her will against her Papa's wishes. Unlike so many American romances, this story doesn't end with, "and they all lived happily ever after!" It concerns the marriages of both daughters and how they are lived out; what really happens when one marries without consideration of character or future.
A sobering memorable quick read. Would that more young people would read this, instead of so much else that is so popular these days.
I keep asking myself, "What is so bad about Balzac?!"
February 23, 2022
2,5 étoiles arrondies à 3.Parfois c'était dérangeant parce que ce n'est pas divisé en chapitres, mais l'ensemble était bon! J'suis contente d'avoir lu un livre si classique mais je ne sais pas si Balzac va faire partie de ma lecture à l'avenir.
October 16, 2019
The first story of the "Scenes from Private Life" section of Balzac's Human Comedy, At the Sign of the Cat and Racket examines the class, social, and economic divisions of 19th century France through the love story of a famous artist and the working class daughter of a drapery shop owner. Great attention is paid to the details of how these worlds interact and overlap. The cultural examination also delves into the "battle of the sexes" through the different marriages and relationships - all with their own flaws and highlights - between the characters in the story. Balzac's approach to the concept of love is complex and unflattering, providing a sober appraisal of typically romanticized situations.
August 30, 2023
Στις μολις 96 σελιδες του ΣΠΙΤΙΟΥ ΤΗΣ ΓΑΤΑΣ-ΠΟΥ-ΠΑΙΖΕΙ-ΤΟΠΙ ο μεγάλος μαέστρος Μπαλζακ, μας γοητεύει ακόμα όχι μόνο για την εξαιρετική του ικανότητα στην ηθογραφία και την έκφραση, αλλά πρωτίστως γιατι τοποθέτεί τα παραπάνω πέρα και εξω απο τα στενά κοινωνικά και πολιτιστικά όρια της εποχής του. Έτσι, δεν είναι μονάχα η ανθρώπινη κατάσταση που "είναι παντα" αλλα και η ουσία των κοινωνικών σχέσεων που τουτη δημιουργεί αέναη.
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