Vautrin: A Drama in Five Acts

Name: Vautrin: A Drama in Five Acts
Author: Honoré de Balzac

By Honoré de Balzac

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French Literature Plays/Films/Dramas

About This Book

A charismatic, manipulative outsider insinuates himself into an aristocratic circle and exploits a grieving mother's belief that a young stranger may be her lost son. A string of plotted encounters, secret identities, and police inquiries forces shifting alliances and moral compromises as private grief collides with public reputation. The five-act drama alternates tense confrontations and conspiratorial plotting with satirical sketches of high society, examining themes of identity, deception, the porous line between respectability and criminality, and the personal costs of social ambition and illusion.

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.