Balzac
Honoré de Balzac was a prolific French novelist and playwright born on May 20, 1799, in Tours, France. He is best known for his ambitious series of novels and stories collectively titled "La Comédie Humaine," which paints a vivid portrait of French society in the early 19th century. Balzac's works delve into the complexities of human behavior and the social conditions of his time, showcasing a remarkable ability to create memorable characters and intricate plots. His keen observations and detailed descriptions provide a fascinating window into the lives of the people in his world, making his narratives both engaging and thought-provoking.
Throughout his life, Balzac faced numerous challenges, including financial difficulties and a relentless work ethic that often left him exhausted. Despite these obstacles, he managed to produce over ninety individual works, leaving a lasting legacy that influenced countless writers, including Marcel Proust and Charles Dickens. If you’re curious about the intricacies of human nature and the societal issues of the past, exploring Balzac's literature can be a rewarding experience. Dive into his world and discover the rich tapestry of characters and stories that continue to resonate today.
Splendeurs et misères des courtisanes
Read by Ariane
Honoré de Balzac
Si Les Illusions Perdues, notre première rencontre avec Lucien de Rubempré, était une scène provinciale de flirt…
Love in a Mask, or Imprudence and Happiness
Read by Lee Smalley
Honoré de Balzac
Love in a Mask, or Imprudence and Happiness, is an entertaining short novel by Honoré de Balzac, unpublished in his lifetime. Beginni…
Louis Lambert
Read by Don W. Jenkins
Honoré de Balzac
Louis Lambert is an 1832 novel by French novelist and playwright Honoré de Balzac (1799–1850), included in the Études philosop…
The Vicar of Tours
Read by Nicholas Clifford (1930-2019)
Honoré de Balzac
Over twenty years before Anthony Trollope wrote The Warden, in which the gentle but unfortunate Rev. Septimus Harding becomes the prey of an…
La Comédie Humaine: Les Comédiens sans le savoir
Read by Bernard
Honoré de Balzac
Sylvestre Palafox-Castel-Gazonnal, dit Gazonnal, « monte » à Paris pour régler un procès qui l’oppose au pr…
La Comédie Humaine: 10 - Scènes de la vie parisienne tome 2 (29-9-44)
Read by Bernard
Honoré de Balzac
Ce n'était pas une petite tâche que de peindre les deux ou trois mille figures saillantes d'une époque, car telle est, e…
Modeste Mignon
Read by LibriVox Volunteers
Honoré de Balzac
Modeste Mignon, a young provincial woman of romantic temperament, imagines herself to be in love with the famous Parisian poet Melchior de C…
The Phoenix and the Carpet (version 3 Dramatic Reading)
Read by LibriVox Volunteers
E. Nesbit and Honoré de Balzac
Cyril, Robert, Anthea and Jane need a new carpet for the nursery, but it turns out to be a magic carpet containing a phoenix egg! They disco…
La Duchesse de Langeais
Read by Thomas de Châtillon
Honoré de Balzac
Véritable dialectique de l’amour et de la coquetterie, La Duchesse de Langeais est l’histoire d’une femme mondaine qui se propose de …
Gobseck
Read by James E. Carson
Honoré de Balzac
Part of the La Comedie Humane and something of a sequence to Balzac's Father Goriot, the short book's title is the name of the pawn broker/m…
Another Study of Woman
Read by Nicholas Clifford (1930-2019)
Honoré de Balzac
A series of tales -- told by men, of course -- about women. Though the book first appeared in 1842, Balzac later added to it as an addenfum …
Catherine De' Medici
Read by Edmund Bloxam
Honoré de Balzac
The Philosophical Studies from The Human Comedy (La Comedie Humaine) are a series of works that are intended as a reflection on history in p…
Les Chouans
Read by Corinne
Honoré de Balzac
« Dans les premiers jours de l’an VIII, au commencement de vendémiaire, ou, pour se conformer au calendrier actuel, vers la fin…
Colonel Chabert
Read by Nicole Lee
Honoré de Balzac
Colonel Chabert is a soldier, who goes missing during the Napoleonic wars, and then returns from the dead, most inconveniently for his wife,…
The Firm of Nucingen
Read by James E. Carson
Honoré de Balzac
Part of the Comedie Humane and a "supplementary" tale to go with Father Goriot and Gobseck. Nucingen is the married family name of…
Honorine
Read by Pomme
Honoré de Balzac
A Gênes, au cours d’une belle soirée, le Consul Général va raconter une histoire dans laquelle il joua un rô…
The Red Inn
Read by pmstrahm
Honoré de Balzac
Staying at the red inn. Two army surgeons get caught up in a murder, intrigue and execution. - Summary by pmstrahm
Mémoires de deux jeunes mariées
Read by Juliette
Honoré de Balzac
Avec la participation de Alexandre Khazal, Christophe Ménager, Milunisu et Vincent de l’Épine.Les « Deux Jeunes Mar…
Le Cousin Pons
Read by Pomme
Honoré de Balzac
Le cousin Pons, vieux célibataire, a trois passions : les bons dîners, sa collection d’œuvres d’art, et son ami, un musicien a…
Béatrix
Read by Pauline Pucciano
Honoré de Balzac
Le jeune Calyste du Guénic est adoré par toutes les femmes du roman, à commencer par sa pieuse mère qui l’a &eac…