Balzac Collection - Volume 2: A New Translation

The Balzac Collection - Volume 2 presents a compelling selection of narratives from Honoré de Balzac's La Comédie humaine, each delving into the intricate dynamics of love, ambition, and societal expectations in 19th-century France. These stories offer a profound exploration of human emotions and the complexities of social structures.

In The Peace of the Household (La Paix du ménage), set during a grand ball in 1809, the Comte de Montcornet and Baron de la Roche-Hugon wager on seducing a mysterious young woman, unaware that she is the virtuous wife of Comte de Soulanges. The story unfolds with sharp wit and keen insight into the mores of high society. The False Mistress (La Fausse Maîtresse) follows Count Thaddee Paz, who, devoted to his friend Adam Laginski and his wife Clémentine, fabricates a liaison with a circus performer to suppress his own feelings, leading to poignant misunderstandings about love and sacrifice.

In Study of a Woman (Étude de femme), Eugène de Rastignac mistakenly sends a passionate letter intended for his mistress to Madame de Listomère, a respectable woman of society, prompting a careful examination of reputation and hidden desire within Parisian aristocracy. In Albert Savarus, the ambitions and secret life of a brilliant provincial lawyer are sabotaged by the youthful obsession of Rosalie de Watteville, resulting in a tale that reveals the destructive power of jealousy and thwarted dreams.

Finally, A Daughter of Eve (Une fille d'Ève) tells the story of Countess Marie de Vandenesse, who, yearning for passion beyond her secure marriage, falls for the ambitious writer Raoul Nathan. Her romantic pursuit, weighed against societal expectations, offers a deeply moving commentary on the roles and restrictions placed on women of her time.

Together, these narratives provide a rich tapestry of human experience, reflecting Balzac's unparalleled insight into the complexities of love, ambition, honor, and societal pressures. The Balzac Collection - Volume 2 invites readers to journey into the heart of human nature and the timeless struggles that define it.