Eugenie Grandet
Eugenie Grandet
Book Brief
240
Novel • Fiction
Saumur, France • 1810s
1833
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
Eugenie Grandet by Honoré de Balzac tells the story of Eugenie, a sheltered young woman living in Saumur, France, with her miserly father, Felix, who seeks a wealthy marriage for her. When Eugenie falls in love with her destitute cousin Charles, her father endeavors to send Charles away to make his fortune abroad, leading to a series of familial and romantic trials shaped by the pursuit of wealth and social status.
Melancholic
Mysterious
Contemplative
Dark
Bittersweet
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Honoré de Balzac's Eugenie Grandet is celebrated for its rich characterization and intricate depiction of greed and familial duty in 19th-century France. Critics praise Balzac's keen social insights and narrative structure. However, some find the pacing slow and the focus on provincial life overly detailed. Overall, it's a compelling read for fans of classic literature.
Who Should Read Eugenie Grandet?
A reader who enjoys Eugenie Grandet by Honoré de Balzac is likely captivated by 19th-century French literature, intricate character studies, and themes of greed and social class. Fans of Charles Dickens' Great Expectations and Gustave Flaubert's Madame Bovary will appreciate the detailed narrative and poignant social commentary.
Eugenie Grandet is part of Honoré de Balzac's extensive series La Comédie Humaine, which aims to present a detailed panorama of post-Napoleonic French society.
The character of Eugénie is often praised for her moral fortitude, contrasting with the greed and materialism depicted in other characters, reflecting Balzac's critique of society.
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Balzac's meticulous realist style in Eugenie Grandet was influenced by his interest in contemporaneous scientific advancements and the precise detail of his descriptions was groundbreaking for the period.
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240
Novel • Fiction
Saumur, France • 1810s
1833
Adult
18+ years
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