
Old Goriot or Father Goriot is an 1835 novel by French novelist and playwright Honore de Balzac (1799–1850), included in the Scenes de la vie Parisienne section of his novel sequence La Comedie humaine. Set in Paris in 1819, it follows the intertwined lives of three characters: the elderly doting Goriot; a mysterious criminal-in-hiding named Vautrin; and a naive law student named Eugene de Rastign...
Paperback: 80 pages
Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform (December 7, 2013)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1494404877
ISBN-13: 978-1494404871
Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 0.2 x 11 inches
Amazon Rank: 3956929
Format: PDF ePub fb2 djvu ebook
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I really enjoyed this book. Started reading it because Thomas Piketty references it in his book "Capital in the 21st Century" as it is, like many 19th century novels, openly concerned with financial matters as they affect human relations in a way th...
lly published in serial form during the winter of 1834/35, Le Pere Goriot is widely considered Balzac's most important novel. It marks the first serious use by the author of characters who had appeared in other books, a technique that distinguishes Balzac's fiction. The novel is also noted as an example of his realist style, using minute details to create character and subtext. The novel takes place during the Bourbon Restoration, which brought profound changes to French society; the struggle by individuals to secure a higher social status is a major theme in the book. The city of Paris also impresses itself on the characters – especially young Rastignac, who grew up in the provinces of southern France. Balzac analyzes, through Goriot and others, the nature of family and marriage, providing a pessimistic view of these institutions. The novel was released to mixed reviews. Some critics praised the author for his complex characters and attention to detail; others condemned him for his many depictions of corruption and greed. A favorite of Balzac's, the book quickly won widespread popularity and has often been adapted for film and the stage. It gave rise to the French expression "Rastignac", a social climber willing to use any means to better his situation.