The Ball at Sceaux

Name: The Ball at Sceaux
Author: Honoré de Balzac

By Honoré de Balzac

Open in WeRead

Explore more books like this:

French Literature Novels

About This Book

A veteran nobleman reflects on the personal cost of steadfast loyalty to a displaced monarchy, describing wartime sacrifices, financial ruin, and awkward encounters at court that expose rising opportunism. After accompanying the royal exile and later returning with the restored regime, he secures sporadic favor and an administrative commission to oversee former insurgents, yet he exercises restraint rather than vengeance. The narrative traces shifting social hierarchies, aristocratic pride, and the moral tensions between honor, ambition, and survival in a society reconfigured by revolution and restoration.

About the Author

Honoré de Balzac

Honoré de Balzac was a French novelist and playwright, renowned for his detailed and vivid portrayal of society in the early 19th century. His monumental work, "La Comédie Humaine," encompasses a vast array of characters and stories that explore the complexities of human nature and social dynamics. Balzac's keen observations of the bourgeoisie and the intricacies of Parisian life are evident in notable titles such as "A Daughter of Eve" and "A Distinguished Provincial at Paris." His writing style is characterized by rich descriptions and a deep psychological insight, making him a pivotal figure in the development of modern literature.