1934 Eugénie Grandet - Honorė de Balzac(Nelson Editeurs)French

Good condition for year in French.

"Eugénie Grandet" is a novel written by Honoré de Balzac, first published in 1833. It is part of Balzac's larger collection of works known as *La Comédie Humaine*, which aims to present a detailed and realistic portrayal of French society in the early 19th century.

### Summary

The novel is set in the town of Saumur, in the Loire Valley, and focuses on the Grandet family. The patriarch, Félix Grandet, is a former cooper who has become extremely wealthy through shrewd and miserly practices. Despite his wealth, Grandet lives in a dilapidated house and forces his family to live in near-poverty conditions, even though they could afford much more. His wife and daughter, Eugénie, lead simple, austere lives, largely isolated from society.

Eugénie, the central character, is a naive and gentle young woman. Her life changes when her cousin, Charles Grandet, arrives from Paris after the suicide of his bankrupt father. Charles is charming, sophisticated, and accustomed to luxury, which fascinates Eugénie. She falls in love with him, and he with her, albeit in a less profound way. Grandet, however, sees Charles as a threat to his wealth and future plans for Eugénie.

Charles leaves for the Indies to rebuild his fortune, and Eugénie, demonstrating her love, gives him a large portion of her inheritance. Her father, enraged at the loss of money, imprisons her in the house and eventually dies. Eugénie remains faithful to Charles for years, but when he returns, he has become cynical and greedy, ultimately marrying another woman for money.

The novel ends with Eugénie, now a wealthy and unmarried woman, living in the same austere manner as her father did, embodying a tragic figure of unfulfilled love and wasted life.

### Themes

1. **Money and Greed**: Grandet's obsession with money leads to the destruction of familial relationships and the sacrifice of happiness. The novel explores how wealth can corrupt and isolate individuals.

2. **Power and Control**: The story examines the dynamics of power within the family, particularly how Grandet's control over his wealth allows him to dominate and manipulate those around him.

3. **Love and Sacrifice**: Eugénie's love for Charles is pure and selfless, leading her to make significant sacrifices. However, this love is ultimately unrequited, showcasing the often tragic nature of love in Balzac's works.

4. **Social Class and Status**: The novel portrays the rigid social structure of 19th-century France, highlighting the importance of social status and the limitations it imposes on personal freedom and happiness.

### Style

Balzac's writing in *Eugénie Grandet* is characterized by detailed descriptions, a focus on character development, and an emphasis on social realism. The novel is a powerful example of Balzac's ability to depict the complexities of human nature and society.

"Eugénie Grandet" remains one of Balzac's most acclaimed works, offering readers a poignant and critical view of the impact of wealth on human relationships and moral values.