| Author |
Balzac, Honoré de, 1799-1850 |
| Translator |
Marriage, Ellen, 1865-1946 |
| Title |
The Collection of Antiquities
|
| Note |
Wikipedia page about this book: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Le_Cabinet_des_Antiques
|
| Note |
Reading ease score: 67.0 (8th & 9th grade). Neither easy nor difficult to read.
|
| Credits |
Produced by John Bickers, and Dagny, and David Widger
|
| Summary |
"The Collection of Antiquities" by Honoré de Balzac is a novel written in the early 19th century, reflecting on the dynamics of French aristocracy during the Restoration period. The narrative centers around the Marquis d'Esgrignon and his family, particularly focusing on his son, Comte Victurnien d'Esgrignon, grappling with their diminished status and wealth in the wake of revolutionary changes. It explores themes of nobility, social aspirations, and the conflicts arising from changing societal values. At the start of the novel, we are introduced to the d'Esgrignon family, who are living through the fallout of their past grandeur. The Marquis is particularly concerned about his son Victurnien's reckless behavior and mounting debts, spurred by the allure of a lavish lifestyle and his desire to reclaim their former status. As the narrative unfolds, we see the family dynamics, the loving but sometimes suffocating relationships between the Marquis, his sister Mlle. d'Esgrignon, and their devoted steward Chesnel. Their hopes of restoring their family’s glory are juxtaposed with the reality of Victurnien’s follies and the malicious intentions of their social rivals. The beginning sets a poignant tone, hinting at the struggles the family faces amidst their ancestral pride and the harsh truths of their present circumstances. (This is an automatically generated summary.)
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| Language |
English |
| LoC Class |
PQ: Language and Literatures: Romance literatures: French, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese
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| Subject |
French fiction -- Translations into English
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| Category |
Text |
| EBook-No. |
1405 |
| Release Date |
Jul 1, 2004 |
| Most Recently Updated |
Jan 27, 2021 |
| Copyright Status |
Public domain in the USA. |
| Downloads |
135 downloads in the last 30 days. |
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