An historical mystery - honoré de balzac - e-kniha

eBook: \'An Historical Mystery\' tells the story of a mysterious kidnapping, coupled with the romantic intrigue blossoming within the higher circles of power while Napoleon I was at the height of his reign. A narrative similar to that of an Elizabethan revenge tragedy, one conspiracy bleeds into another to reveal the murky depths of the French sociopolitical arena at the time. By using his infamous descriptive powers and impeccable judgement of individual character, Balzac definitely shows that he knew everything about his own time. Guy de Maupassant, Flaubert and Emile Zola were naturalist authors who were directly influenced by Balzac. (knihydobrovsky.cz)

eBook: A short story ushering the reader into the violent and horrifying events that took place during the Reign of Terror following the French Revolution. The tale follows an old ex-Carmelite nun who is hiding from Robespierre with abject fear of what tomorrow may bring. Oozing with mystery and suspense, Balzac\'s allegorical prose is at its very finest here. The French author who, along with Flaubert, is widely regarded to be one of the founding fathers of realism in European fiction. (knihydobrovsky.cz)

eBook: Exquisitely deploying the story-within-a-story narrative, \'Honorine\' is a tale casting piercing insight into the fabric of the human condition. Comtesse Honorine de Bauvan was married off to the Comte at the age of nineteen. After being unfaithful, she is abandoned by her lover when she falls pregnant. She leads a simple but comfortable life and earns a living by crafting artificial flowers. What she doesn\'t know is that her comfort is assured by way of her husband paying exorbitant prices to buy her flowers. Described as a psychological novel that delves into the differences between a man\'s love and a woman\'s love, it is one of Balzac\'s more mature works. Guy de Maupassant, Flaubert and Emile Zola were naturalist writers who were directly influenced by Balzac.A must-read for fans of the 2004 movie \'Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind\' starring Jim Carrey and Kate Winslet which explores similar themes of lost love from a psychological perspective. (knihydobrovsky.cz)

eBook: An Italian and Spanish love triangle with Napoleon\'s army on the march as the backdrop, \'Juana\' is an all-action story about two morally corrupt Italian soldiers in the French army in Spain.They lurk at the rear of the army and descend upon the women and the wealth of defeated towns. As they enter Tarragona, Montefiore spots the lovely Juana and sets about seducing her by inveigling himself with her family.They fall for each other, but Montefiore gets caught in a lie and Juana ends their affair. Then, in a fit of pique, she marries his friend, the other Italian soldier, Diard.It is a decision that sparks a pulsating plot featuring cruelty, a disintegrating marriage, gambling, murder, deception, and a dishonest doctor. \'Juana\' is ideal for those who enjoy Bernard Cornwell\'s \'Sharpe\' stories, which were made into a TV series, starring Sean Bean. (knihydobrovsky.cz)

eBook: When Milanese nobleman Count Andrea Marcosini sees Marianna in the crowd at the Palais-Royal in Paris, he immediately decides that she will be his. After all, this wealthy man with a wandering eye is used to getting what he wants.However, she is married to a composer called \"Gambara\", whose music reaches heights of beauty - but only when he is drunk. The count gives them money, then gives him a drink, and then, finally, steals Marianna from him.It is a tale of lust, greed and arrogance - with one significant twist. \'Gambara\' will delight fans of Balzac\'s body of work. (knihydobrovsky.cz)

eBook: Fans of \'The Godfather\' trilogy and \'The Sopranos\' will know a thing or two about vendettas.In Honore de Balzac\'s ´The Vendetta´, tragic consequences are laid bare. What begins as a love story between two Corsican immigrants, Ginevra and Luigi, soon becomes a tale of misery.Luigi is the sole survivor of a blood feud with Ginevra\'s family. And Ginevra\'s father Bartolomeo is determined to finish the job by killing Luigi. However, when the love-sick couple marries, he has to stay his hand - but he cuts them off, leaving them poverty-stricken. As Bartolomeo has an epiphany, his daughter is locked in a life-and-death struggle as she gives birth. Will she survive? And will her father get the chance to make things right? \'The Vendetta\' is an excoriating attack on the nature of honour and a tale of tragic romance that calls to mind \'Romeo and Juliet\' by William Shakespeare. (knihydobrovsky.cz)

eBook: It begins with the undignified scene of two young men on a Parisian stagecoach, boasting about their love affairs with older, married women.Hubris turns to tragedy when the coach overturns, leaving one of the men with fatal injuries. However, drama dictates that there is always time for some final words before death. The dying man gives his travelling companion a mission - collect love letters from his house and deliver them to his lover, a countess.How will the countess react to the news of her lover\'s death? And how will the count take the news that she was betraying him?If you like this classic short story by Honoré de Balzac about betrayal, try \'Anna Karenina\' by Leo Tolstoy or \'Rebecca\' by Daphne du Maurier. (knihydobrovsky.cz)

eBook: Lucien Chardon is a young man who wants nothing more than to become a notable poet. He lives in a small village, and it is not the place for an aspiring writer. When a married lady Madame de Bargeton offers Lucien help, he is more than ready to move to Paris.Paris, however, is not an easy place either. There might be more possibilities, but at the same time the big city and it's societies can be more cruel than Lucien could have ever imagined. 'Lost Illusions' is an intriguing novel written by Honoré de Balzac (knihydobrovsky.cz)

eBook: When Colonel Chabert marries a prostitute named Rose Chapotel, he doesn't know yet how the marriage will affect the rest of his life. Chabert leaves for a war in Russia, where he is seriously wounded. Everyone thinks he is dead. Chabert, however, has enough strength to survive – and after being away for years, he is about to return to Paris. But nothing is the same in Paris. Chabert's property is gone, but he is not the kind of man who would easily give up – he is ready to fight for his rights. (knihydobrovsky.cz)

eBook: \"The Recruit\" is a short story from Balzac\'s \"Philosophical studies\", set during the horrors of the Reign of Terror. An aristocratic mother is desperately awaiting the return of her only son and heir. Focusing on the small-town talk and gossip, Balzac\'s story is a melodramatic and hopeful episode on his literary journey. The author becomes the historian and narrator of the situation, creating a memorable and vivid narrative, rich in character portrayal and human emotions. (knihydobrovsky.cz)

eBook: There are dilemmas - and then there are dilemmas. Juanito Leganes faces the sort of choice that is beyond our worst nightmares.It comes after his father, Marquis of the Spanish town of Menda, leads an uprising against the French occupiers, allowing the British to take the town. When the French retake it, their general orders the hanging of the Marquis and his entire family, including his wife, three sons and two daughters.However, Marquis asks for beheadings instead and for his eldest son, Juanito, to be spared. The general agrees but on one that Juanito wields the axe.Will he decapitate them all and live, or will he choose to die with them at the end of a rope?If you are a fan of Bernard Cornwell\'s \'Sharpe\' novels and the TV series starring Sean Bean, this short story is for you. (knihydobrovsky.cz)

eBook: Superstition, sorcery, dark strangers, and a great poet in disguise, Honoré de Balzac takes a new turn in \'The Exiles\'.Set in 14th century Paris, this novella sees sergeant Tirechair host two strangers at his house near Notre-Dame. One is a regular at the royal court, while the younger man is the son of a countess. Both of them spook the sergeant, as he believes they are sorcerers - and they are clearly incognito. As he gets ready to throw them out, there is a big reveal - and plenty of poetic justice.Balzac\'s \'The Exiles\' is a clever exploration of the price of fame and the pressure of being born into the upper classes.If you like \'The Canterbury Tales\' by Geoffrey Chaucer and \'World Without End\' by Ken Follett, ´The Exiles´ will be a great read! (knihydobrovsky.cz)

eBook: The novella unfolds around a blind old man, Facino Cane who claims to be a descendant of the 14th century condottiere of the same name. The narrator meets Facino Cane at a wedding, and begins a conversation with him. Facino then recounts his life story involving the most extraordinary tales of murder, exile, buried treasure, incarceration and a daring escape. A thoroughly enticing and enthralling short story, with a narrator that has a magnificent knack for getting inside another person\'s head. This demonstrates that Balzac could have mastered the melodramatic adventure style of writing for which Alexandre Dumas and Victor Hugo are best known. If slightly longer, \'Facino Cane\' would be a ready companion piece to Dumas\' epic \'The Count of Monte Cristo\'. (knihydobrovsky.cz)

eBook: It is sometimes difficult to know who most deserves our judgement. Do we look down more upon a shop owner for inventing a royal backstory for one of his items - or is the customer who believes the story even worse? Set in 19th century Paris, Honoré de Balzac\'s short story sees an English woman looking to buy a shawl in a shop.The owner sees a chance to con a foreigner by claiming the shawl was once owned by Empress Josephine, once the wife of Napoleon Bonaparte. Will she buy the story - and the shawl? Named after Felix Gaudissart, a travelling salesman who appears in other Balzac tales, ´Gaudissart II´ demonstrates Blazac\'s skills as he portrays greed, dishonesty, and gullibility to perfection.´Gaudissart II´ will delight any reader familiar with Balzac\'s body of work. (knihydobrovsky.cz)

eBook: Honoré de Balzac (1799–1850), jeden z nejznámějších francouzských spisovatelů, se proslavil zejména obřím literárním dílem Lidská komedie (1842), v němž se snažil postihnout všechny aspekty života Francie v ponapoleonské době. V deseti povídkách z let 1830–1835 využívá autor témata typická pro tehdy oblíbenou literaturu: nesmrtelnost, smlouva s ďáblem, elixír mládí. Je ironický, vyzývavý, místy rouhačský, filozofuje nad unikajícím smyslem života, krutě se vysmívá poměrům panujícím ve „slušné“ společnosti, děsí svou schopností nahlédnout do temných stránek lidské duše… Většina z těchto povídek v překladu Dany Melanové vychází v češtině poprvé. (knihydobrovsky.cz)

eBook: Honora de Balzac is considered the founder of social realism. Balzac was the first writer to write about the all social levels of the social scene in France. His vast collection of works encompasses the Restoration period and the July Monarchy. La Comedie Humaine was written between 1799 and 1850. This collection contains 95 novels, stories, and essays. A Marriage Contract (Le contrat de mariage 1835) is part of the Scenes from private life (Scènes de la vie privée) of La Comedie Humaine. (knihydobrovsky.cz)

eBook: Once bitten, twice shy sometimes rings true. Madame de Beauseant must have been bitten very hard, for she became a hermit in her Normandy castle due to humiliation after being cast aside by her aristocratic lover. However, when Baron Gaston de Nueil, a far younger and very persistent man, comes to town, he cannot resist seeking out this mysterious and notorious woman. He falls for her but she, being \"twice shy\", first rejects his advances and then runs away to Geneva. The lovesick Baron follows her, melts her heart and they live happily....for a few years.The age gap spooks the Baron\'s fearsome mother, who lines up a younger woman for him to marry. Mme de Beauseant fears a second humiliation, while the Baron contends with the call of his heart and the fear of his mother. What will he decide to do? Fans of Jane Austen\'s \'Mansfield Park\' and \'Emma\' will love this exquisite story of lost love and social propriety. (knihydobrovsky.cz)

eBook: The old, abandoned manor of La Grande Bretèche stands between the trees like a secret. Uncovered one day by Dr. Horace Bianchon whilst visiting the nearby town of Vendôme, the ruins will beckon any wandering visitor in.Full of intrigue, the doctor simply can\'t resist entering the house. But night after night, he fails. Why can\'t La Grande Bretèche be accessed? And what do the locals know of this mysterious shelter? Adapted into 3 films, 2 episodes, an opera, and a BBC Radio 4 play, Balzac\'s gripping \'The Human Comedy\' short story, \'The Grand Bretèche´, is ideal for fans of Xavier Giannolli\'s 2021 \'Lost Illusions\' film. (knihydobrovsky.cz)

eBook: When an aspiring artist Nicolas Poussin gets a chance to meet the legendary painter Frenhofer, he is more than thrilled. Frenhofer has the ability to paint in an incredible way, and besides that, he has deep and philosophical thoughts about aesthetics and art. Poussin is so ensnared by Frenhofer that he offers his lover Gillette to work as a model for Frenhofer – without asking Gillette first.'The Unknown Masterpiece' is Honoré de Balzac's short story first published in 1831. (knihydobrovsky.cz)

eBook: Dr. Benassis is a doctor and a village major. Thanks to him, the once poor village has started to blossom. The village is getting richer and richer, and also the villagers seem very happy about the situation. When commander Genestas arrives at the village, Dr. Benassis tells him about the changes he has made in the town. The two of them build a special friendship – without knowing that both of them also carry secrets. (knihydobrovsky.cz)

eBook: Dinner party in Paris. A guest called Hermann starts to tell a story; a story about two French doctors who traveled to Andernach in Germany in 1799. The men decided to stay in a guesthouse called Red Inn – without realizing that the name of the place might have been an omen about the terrifying things that were ought to happen there that very night...'The Red Inn' is Honoré de Balzac's an exciting short story first published in 1831 (knihydobrovsky.cz)

eBook: With a sweeping narrative that features revolution, restoration, and colonial war, \'The Two Brothers\' is Honore de Balzac at his masterful best.It focuses on the Bridau family, including Agathe, her two sons, and her elder brother, as they engage in increasingly undignified battles for their inheritance.The eldest son, Philippe, is a courageous soldier but a gambler and a crook. The youngest, Joseph, is a misunderstood artist.When the Bourbons are restored and Napoleon exiled, Philippe becomes embroiled in an anti-government conspiracy.Meanwhile, a mysterious \"long-lost uncle\" appears and worms his way into the family - with unsavoury intentions.With the plot\'s fuse lit, it burns through priceless paintings, racist persecution, a knife attack, a duel, and an explosive climax.If you like this, you will love \'Les Miserables\' by Victor Hugo and \'A Tale of Two Cities\' by Charles Dickens. (knihydobrovsky.cz)

eBook: History lovers will revel in Balzac\'s social and political commentary of 19th century France in \'The Old Maid\'. With skilful insight into the human experience, the life of a rich lady and her respective suitors reveal themselves page after page. A short and snappy read, Balzac crafts his characters with expert skill, peppered with satirical misfortunes. Part of his \'The Human Comedy\' collection, \'The Old Maid\' is ideal for fans of Xavier Giannolli\'s 2021 \'Lost Illusions\' film. (knihydobrovsky.cz)

eBook: Why do good people suffer?This is the question Honoré de Balzac poses in \'The Hated Son\', set in Normandy during the eighth war of religion between Catholics and Protestant Huguenots.The kind and gentle Jeanne de Saint-Savin loves her Huguenot cousin but has to marry the old and cruel Royalist count d\'Herouville in order to save her lover\'s life.The couple has a son, who promises to be a ray of light in Jeanne\'s unhappy life. But darkness descends when the count accuses her of infidelity and banishes Etienne from his castle, to be brought up by fishermen.When the count\'s older son and sole heir dies, the rejected son is the only one alive to continue the family line and inherit the title.Etienne is back in the game. But will he play by the rules set by his father who rejected him?Other great reads that feature the theme of rejection are Jane Austen\'s \'Persuasion\' and \'Much Ado About Nothing\' by William Shakespeare. (knihydobrovsky.cz)

eBook: If you have seen Ricky Gervais in \'The Office\', you will know how much comedy and pathos occurs in apparently mundane locations. In \'The Lesser Bourgeoisie\', Honore de Balzac turns his sharp eye on the intrigues of the white-collar world. Spinster Marie-Jeanne-Brigitte Thuillier has made money from selling her bank business. She dedicates her life to supporting her brother, an attractive but mediocre man with an illegitimate daughter, Celeste. Celeste\'s mother, Flavie, is a social climber who takes lovers to advance her husband\'s career - and to find a rich husband for her daughter. The murky waters are further muddied by the arrival of the lawyer Theodose de La Peyrade, who targets the hand of Celeste (and her inheritance). It is all rather unbecoming as the vultures circle around Celeste, and Balzac exposes the greed that exists at this level of French society. If you like office intrigue, try \'The Way We Live Now\' by Anthony Trollope. Honoré de Balzac (1799-1850) was a French novelist and playwright, most famous for a sequence of novels, collectively called \'The Human Comedy\'. His signature style was a warts-and-all representation of post-Napoleonic French life, rich in detail and featuring complex, unfiltered characters. The style means Balzac is regarded as one of the pioneers of European literary realism. He is named as an influence on writers including Emile Zola, Henry James, Charles Dickens, and Gustave Flaubert. The first novel he published under his own name was \'Les Chouans\' in 1829. In 1834 he hit upon the idea of grouping his novels together to record all of society. The result, over a period of years, was \'The Human Comedy\', which comprised three categories: \'Analytic Studies\'; \'Philosophical Studies\'; and \'Studies of Manners\'. (knihydobrovsky.cz)

eBook: Honoré de Balzac\'s short story ´The illustrious Gaudissaart´ reveals the arrogance and prejudice on both sides of the city-country divide.When a slick salesman from the big city visits the provincial town of Vouvray, he is confident that the locals will buy anything. But Gaudissart\'s apparent belief in the doctrine of Saint-Simonianism, which teaches that industrialisation will empty the countryside and create a Utopian society of workers, riles a local man named Vernier.He tricks him into selling items to his unstable neighbour Margaritis, who convinces the salesman to buy two non-existent wine barrels.This vindictive practical joke then escalates into legal action and a dramatic duel ensues. For more insights into life in 1830s Europe, try Elizabeth Gaskell\'s \'Ruth\' and \'North and South\'. (knihydobrovsky.cz)

eBook: Veronique Graslin is a woman of strength.Despite being scarred by smallpox at 11, and then railroaded into a miserable marriage with a man who resembles an \"antique satyr\", she builds a life of wealth and good works in the French countryside.But, nibbling away at her conscience like a persistent rat, there is a dark secret that will not let her go.After Veronique encounters two criminals, as well as Monsieur Bonnet, the insightful rector, she feels that her soul is being \"ploughed\".Balzac\'s novel mixes the spiritual with the political, exposing rural injustice, and railing against the horrific conditions endured by criminals on the French galleys.All the time, he tiptoes toward the big what is Veronique\'s secret?If you like \'Bleak House\' by Charles Dickens and \'Les Miserables\' by Victor Hugo, you will enjoy \'The Village Rector\'. (knihydobrovsky.cz)

eBook: In 19th-century Paris, Leon de Preval, a captain in the Sixth Horse, does not take the hint. The focus of his intrigue is a mysterious young widow in a mask, who is enjoying the freedom that the death of her controlling husband has allowed her. The woman's identity remains a secret, but they meet a few weeks later at another masquerade ball. When Preval asks for a third meeting, she agrees - but with a set of challenging conditions. 'Love in a Mask' is a romantic story with a sharp edge of commentary about women's role in society and their treatment by their husbands. (knihydobrovsky.cz)

eBook: In this tale the Duchesse de Langeais leads General Armande de Montriveau by the nose in her distinct coquettish yet grandiose manner. But as a member of the Thirteen, Armande kidnaps the Duchesse and threatens to have her branded as a criminal. However, he returns her unscathed.Suddenly the Duchesse develops feelings for Armande, who now will have nothing to do with her. After sparking rumours in Paris that she is visiting him, she disappears. Then Armande realises that he wants her more than ever before...A romantic and greatly tumultuous tale with an unexpected ending. A perfect fit for readers seeking a romance novel infused with notes of irony and the supernatural. A critically-acclaimed film adaptation of the same name was released in 2007, starring Jeanne Balibar, Guillaume Depardieu, Michel Piccoli and Bulle Ogier. (knihydobrovsky.cz)

eBook: \'The Ball at Sceaux\' is one of the oldest books in Balzac\'s \'The Human Comedy\' series. It tells the story of Émilie de Fontaine, a pretentious and spoiled young lady who refuses to love anyone who is not known in French high society. At the ball she falls in love with a handsome and mysterious young man, who is revealed to be the taciturn Maximilien Longueville. Émilie\'s family later discovers that Maximilien is concealing the fact that he is a shopkeeper at a Paris marketplace, which horrifies Émilie. But all is not what it seems, as Émilie is soon to find out after she abandons Maximilien for a rich man she does not love. Inspired by Aleksandr Pushkin\'s \'Eugene Onegin\' and the fables of La Fontaine, in particular \'The Girl\' and \'The Heron\'. This Balzacian novella is a wonderful and enthralling read, where the mysterious and unknown tightly grips the reader well past the final page. It is one of the sheer joys of \'The Human Comedy\' that we will meet these characters again in other stories. (knihydobrovsky.cz)

eBook: Spoiling a child is not just about letting them have a few extra sweets. In some cases, years of doting really do spoil them.Victurien d\'Esgrignon was raised by his doting aunt and adoring father - a family high up in the aristocracy of Restoration France. As a young man, he is both intelligent and a liar and a cheat who ruins his family, their lawyer, and others drawn into his circle.Then he meets his match - a young man with the same cold heart and eye for an opportunity. Who will triumph in this race to the bottom? Honore de Balzac\'s \'The Collection of Antiquities\' shines a bright light on the social and moral decline of the aristocracy in 1830s France.Fans of \'Les Miserables\' by Victor Hugo and \'A Tale of Two Cities\' by Charles Dickens will love this! (knihydobrovsky.cz)

eBook: Our heroine Julie is attending with her ailing father one of Napoleon’s reviews of his troops. It is after the debacle in Russia, but the Old Guard still knows how to put on a show. The lovely young girl is dazzled by Colonel Victor d’Aiglemont, a dashing young adjutant who gallops by. The father notices Julie’s fascination and shakes his head anxiously, knowing that the young man is unworthy of her. (knihydobrovsky.cz)

eBook: Due to Balzac\'s death in 1850, \'The Deputy of Arcis\' was left incomplete at its most compelling moment. A political satire criticizing the electoral system, taking place in the provinces of southern France and revolving around a fierce electoral dispute. But the arrival of a mysterious man changes everything - is it for better or worse?Balzac\'s creative genius, combined with a humourous and ironic narrative makes this read thoroughly entertaining and enjoyable. Guy de Maupassant, Flaubert and Emile Zola were naturalist authors who were directly influenced by Balzac.Strongly recommended for fans of modern-day humorous political sitcoms such as \'Parks and Recreation,\' starring Amy Poehler and Nick Offerman as the unforgettable duo Leslie Knope and Ron Swanson. (knihydobrovsky.cz)

eBook: You know that feeling when you have just sent a text or an email to the wrong person? Well, in the 19th century the equivalent was a wrongly-directed letter - and there is no \'delete\' button for pen and paper.The faux pas happens after Eugene de Rastignac briefly meets married society woman Madame de Listomere at a soiree. The following day, Rastignac writes a love letter to his sweetheart - but accidentally sends it to Mme Listomere!Beneath the surface, souls are searched. Was it really an accident or was it subconscious desire? Was Mme Listomere actually pleased to receive the letter?Balzac skillfully shows the strong emotional currents that pull beneath the calm surface of society.Fans of Jane Austen\'s novels, including \'Pride and Prejudice\' and \'Sense and Sensibility\' will love this. (knihydobrovsky.cz)

eBook: \"Vive la counter-revolution!\"In \'Sons of the Soil\', Balzac tells an extraordinary story of gentry and peasants, complacency and corruption, jealousy and revenge. And it has a contentious central the Revolution upset the balance and sowed new divisions between the classes.Centred around General Moncornet\'s chateau and estate in Burgundy, there is a large, fascinating cast of listless ladies and gentlemen indoors who \"get what amusement they can out of carefully dressing themselves\". Meanwhile, the staff are scheming and the locals con and poach their way through life.With the skill of Charles Dickens, Balzac draws together the main characters and enmeshes them in a murderous and treacherous plot with numerous serpentine twists.Fans of \'Downton Abbey\' and Dickens\' classics, including \'Bleak House\' and \'A Tale of Two Cities\' will love this. (knihydobrovsky.cz)

eBook: Countess Marie de Vandenesse, bored out of her mind in a marriage to a good man, decides to adopt an up-and-coming young playwright, Raoul Nathan, as her lover. Mistakenly believing his fortune is made, Nathan quickly finds himself wading into deep waters...One of Balzac\'s most delightful and happy-go-lucky tales, this is certainly a recommended rainy day read. Written by the French author who, along with Flaubert, is widely regarded to be one of the founding fathers of realism in European fiction. (knihydobrovsky.cz)

eBook: Judges receive legal training, but they cannot automatically be given courage and the wisdom of Solomon.That is what is needed when larger-than-life socialite the Marquise d\'Espard petitions Judge Jean-Jules Popinot to declare her husband mad.He is not mad, of course. But she is - mad that he is spending their money on another family. As the judge digs deeper, he discovers the heartbreaking reason why the Marquis was helping the Jeanrenauds. With the pressure building, he prepares to deliver his verdict...Fans of the courtroom dramas in Charles Dickens\' \'Bleak House\' and Harper Lee\'s \'To Kill a Mockingbird\' will love \'The Commission in Lunacy\'. (knihydobrovsky.cz)

eBook: When the narrator and his wife visit an idyllic and picturesque town near the sea they meet a fisherman and a hermit. The ubiquitous poverty and squalor of the seaside town spills over into the lives of its inhabitants. It is only to be expected that the two spouses are moored by the talkative fisherman in a manner invoking \'The Rime of The Ancient Mariner\' by English poet Samuel Taylor Coleridge. Gleaming with descriptive language depicting the daily tribulations of post-Napoleonic France, \'A Drama on the Seashore\' is an absolute must-read for fans of other books in \'The Human Comedy\' series. But there is no need for prior acquaintance with the series in order to enjoy this evocative and elegant novel. Guy de Maupassant, Flaubert and Emile Zola were naturalist writers who were directly influenced by Balzac.- (knihydobrovsky.cz)

eBook: In \'Ferragus, Chief of the Devorants\' Balzac skillfully traces a dazzling panorama of 19th century Parisian streets and vividly invokes a sparkling menagerie of characters in ultra-fine detail.A young cavalry officer strolls down these very streets when he spots a beautiful lady in the company of an ill-reputed man. The man is veiled in an impenetrable cloak of secrecy, which also raises questions about the woman at his side, transforming the novel into a thrilling criminal escapade. Flooded with murders, prison escapees, family secrets, and tragic endings, \'Ferragus, Chief of the Devorants\' is a darkly ironic albeit sublime reflection of the human condition and the ultimate price of deceit. Recommended for readers who are fascinated by the forays into the human soul and conscience deliberated in Dostoyevsky\'s \'Crime and Punishment\' and Gogol\'s \'Dead Souls\'. Also, Guy de Maupassant, Flaubert and Emile Zola were naturalist writers who were directly influenced by Balzac. (knihydobrovsky.cz)

eBook: Felix was rejected as a child by his mother and those scars never fully heal. In a book with great emotional depth, Honore de Balzac explores Felix\' two major adult relationships with women through the form of a single letter. With the beautiful, but married, Madame Mortsauf, maternal love grows into a passion - but never crosses into physical infidelity. As the years pass by, Felix falls for sensuous Englishwoman Lady Arabelle. Torn between \"the wife of the spirit\" and \"the mistress of the flesh\", he becomes the laughing stock of the French Court.How will he untie his emotional knot without causing emotional damage to the two women? The insights and descriptions are exquisite - and there is an unexpected twist at the end. \'The Lily of the Valley\' is perfect reading for fans of other books featuring a love triangle, including Margaret Mitchell\'s \'Gone With the Wind\' and Emily Brontë\'s \'Wuthering Heights\'. Honoré de Balzac (1799-1850) was a French novelist and playwright, most famous for a sequence of novels, collectively called \'The Human Comedy\'.His signature style was a warts-and-all representation of post-Napoleonic French life, rich in detail and featuring complex, unfiltered characters. The style means Balzac is regarded as one of the pioneers of European literary realism. He is named as an influence on writers including Emile Zola, Henry James, Charles Dickens, and Gustave Flaubert. The first novel he published under his own name was \'Les Chouans\' in 1829.In 1834 he hit upon the idea of grouping his novels together to record all of society. The result, over a period of years, was \'The Human Comedy\', which comprised three categories: \'Analytic Studies\'; \'Philosophical Studies\'; and \'Studies of Manners\'. (knihydobrovsky.cz)

Ztracené iluze jsou považovány snad za nejbalzacovštější román a ztráta iluzí za nejtypičtější téma francouzské literatury 19. století. V lecčem je toto dílo nebezpečně živé i dnes. (knihydobrovsky.cz)

Honoré de Balzac (1799–1850), jeden z nejznámějších francouzských spisovatelů, se proslavil zejména obřím literárním dílem Lidská komedie (1842), v němž se snažil postihnout všechny aspekty života Francie v ponapoleonské době. V deseti povídkách z let 1830–1835 využívá autor témata typická pro tehdy oblíbenou literaturu: nesmrtelnost, smlouva s ďáblem, elixír mládí. Je ironický, vyzývavý, místy rouhačský, filozofuje nad unikajícím smyslem života, krutě se vysmívá poměrům panujícím ve „slušné“ společnosti, děsí svou schopností nahlédnout do temných stránek lidské duše… Většina z těchto povídek v překladu Dany Melanové vychází v češtině poprvé. (knihydobrovsky.cz)

Satira a zemitý galský humor, to je hlavní charakteristika Rozmarných povídek, které klasik světové literatury Honoré de Balzac (1799–1850) napsal, aby reagoval na výtky literární kritiky, že nemá styl. Tyto humoristicko-satiricky laděné příběhy nás přesvědčují, že naši předkové vyznávali životní plnost, intenzitu, aktivitu a odvahu, tedy vše, co ve svém životě a díle upřednostňoval i slavný francouzský spisovatel. (knihydobrovsky.cz)

Otec Goriot pracuje jako dělník v továrně na výrobu těstovin a později se z něho stane obchodník. Daří se mu a finančně je velmi dobře zajištěný. Má dvě dcery, Anastázii a Delfínu, které jsou již vdané. Jedna si vzala bankéře, druhá šlechtice a od otce dostaly velmi tučná věna.Po čase se na věno zapomnělo a manželé zakázali dcerám, aby je chodil otec navštěvovat. Otec Goriot svůj majetek prodá a odstěhuje se do laciného penzionu. Manželka, kterou měl velmi rád, mu zemřela velmi brzy a veškerou svou lásku věnoval svým dcerám. Dcery jsou teď rozmazlené, sobecké a za otce se stydí. Přesto ho obě chodí navštěvovat, jen ne z lásky, ale pro peníze.Ve stejném penzionu bydlí druhá hlavní postava románu, student Evžen Rastignac. Evžen přichází do Paříže studovat práva. Pochází z chudé rodiny. Peníze, které dostává od rodičů, stačí pouze na bydlení. Postupem času Evžen poznává, že se ve společnosti bez peněz neobejde. Peníze si půjčuje u svého kamaráda Vautrina. Na jednom plese se seznamuje s Delfinou a zamiluje se do ní. Kvůli ní se Evžen stane hazardním hráčem, Goriot již nemá mnoho peněz a dcery ho proto přestanou navštěvovat... (knihydobrovsky.cz)

Audiokniha:,Román Otec Goriot je jedním z dílů rozsáhlé Lidské komedie Honoré de Balzaca. V jeho ději můžeme sledovat dva hlavní příběhy; postupný společenský vzestup studenta práv Evžena de Rastignaca (Viktor Preiss) a úpadek kdysi významného obchodníka s nudlemi, otce Goriota (Martin Růžek). Otec Goriot se celým svým životem upnul na štěstí svých dvou dcer - Anastazie (Alena Vránová) a Delfíny (Růžena Merunková); jim obětuje celé své jmění, v jejich zájmu prodá i poslední svůj majetek, není nic, co by pro ně neudělal. Přesto si nezíská jejich oddanost a lásku. Student Rastignac naopak postupně šplhá na vyšší a vyšší společenské příčky, většinou za pomoci krásných a společensky vysoce postavených dam. Oba bydlí v penzionátu vdovy Vauquerové (Marie Vášová), veselém hnízdě různých postaviček, které buď nemají přebytek peněz nebo nechtějí být příliš na očích okolního světa bohaté a pokrytecké Paříže. Mezi nimi hraje prim zvláštní patron jménem Vautrin (Miloš Nedbal). Balzakův příběh je dodnes jímavým obrazem světa, v němž odumírá lidskost a vítězí falešná morálka. V závěru hry student Rastignac vyhlašuje Paříži osobní válku - naději však v tuto osobní vzpouru nevkládá snad ani on... (knihydobrovsky.cz)

Na rozdíl od mnoha jiných románů Honorého de Balzaca (1799–1850), v nichž autor vystupuje jako kritik společenských, politických či morálních poměrů své doby, Lilie v údolí je zasvěcena soukromé tematice, vztahu mezi mužem a ženou, a v tomto smyslu je nadčasová. Vypravěč nejprve líčí své chmurné dětství, kdy trpěl tím, že byl odmalička dán na výchovu mimo rodinu, cítil se nemilovaný, v dospívání pak pokořovaný chudobou a bezútěšně toužící po citu a ženě. Jednoho dne se tento už dvacetiletý chlapec, citově ani fyzicky ještě nerozvinutý, octne na venkovské slavnosti, potká tam ženu, v níž se mu náhle zpředmětní všechny dosavadní touhy a v náhlém pominutí smyslů ji políbí na nahá ramena. Od této chvíle se odvíjí příběh osudové lásky mezi Félixem a vdanou paní de Mortsaufovou, která trpí v nešťastném manželství s tyranským a labilním starcem. V peripetiích jejího vztahu s Félixem, plného zklamání a nadějí, odříkání i narůstající intimity projevuje Balzac velké mistrovství. Nečekaně ironický závěr pak podtrhuje mimořádnou působivost díla, ve kterém vzdal autor hold první ženě svého života, paní de Berny. Česky vychází román po téměř pětačtyřiceti letech jako první svazek edice SVĚTOVÍ KLASICI, která přináší známá i méně známá díla géniů světové literatury posledních staletí. Kritériem výběru je to, zda obstála ve zkoušce času a jsou schopna oslovit i dnešního čtenáře. (knihydobrovsky.cz)

V obecném povědomí zůstává Balzac často zapsán jako autor, který přes romantické začátky dospěl k realismu, ke kritickému znázornění života a mravů francouzské společnosti první poloviny 19. století. V horším případě pak - v důsledku desetiletí marxistických interpretací - jako kritik buržoazní společnosti a jejích odlidštěných vztahů. Výbor osmi novel a povídek má za cíl představit Balzaca nikoli jako kritika společnosti a lidských neřestí, nýbrž jako spisovatele mnoha různých žánrových a tematických poloh. Vojenské tematiky se chopil v novele Sbohem. V nesmírně působivých, takřka apokalyptických výjevech líčí katastrofu zdemoralizovaného francouzského vojska u břehu řeky Bereziny při ústupu z Ruska v listopadu 1812; v další části novely pak pozoruhodným způsobem portrétuje ženu, která v důsledku válečných útrap zešílela. V novele Tajnosti kněžny de Cadignan zkušená, ba protřelá žena z vyšších kruhů, která zažila mnohé a prohýřila nejen své jmění, koketuje a manipuluje s mladým nesmělým spisovatelem tak, že ten v ní, zaslepen láskou, vidí světici, čistou a vznešenou duši, trpící oběť svého okolí. Balzac zde rozehrává, jak to umí jen on, dynamiku jejich vztahu. Fantaskno, náboženská mystika a zločin jsou námětem Usmířeného Melmotha. V co nakonec novela vyústí, zda v mravní ponaučení, ezoteriku, či pouhou taškařici, musí posoudit sám čtenář. Ve zdánlivě naivním a romantickém hávu je napsána Maskovaná milenka. Autor zde však zpracovává moderní téma radikální ženské emancipace a nezávislosti - na muži, manželovi i otci svého dítěte. Červená hospoda reprezentuje kriminální žánr. Balzac zde rozpřádá okolnosti brutální vraždy německého obchodníka a zabývá se problémem svědomí a morální spoluviny. Tři kratší povídky - Vášeň na poušti, Ateistova mše a Epizoda z období teroru - jsou ukázkou Balzacovy mistrovské drobnokresby při zpracování specifických témat. Kniha vychází v nových překladech Jana Petříčka - a Epizoda z období teroru vůbec poprvé česky. (knihydobrovsky.cz)

Ztracené iluze jsou považovány snad za nejbalzacovštější román a ztráta iluzí za nejtypičtější téma francouzské literatury 19. století. V lecčem je toto dílo nebezpečně živé i dnes. Světu vládne všeobecná prodejnost a spisovatelé i literární hrdinové hledají východisko v umění a vědě. Nejinak je tomu v případě dvojice našich protagonistů - básníka Luciena Chardona a tiskaře Davida Sécharda. Vystřízlivění z této poslední a nejsvětější iluze je však zákonitě nejbolestnější. Mechanismy literárního světa se před námi odkrývají postupně: v ději, v konkrétních konfliktech a rozčarováních hlavního hrdiny Luciena - tak jako se venku prodávají ženy, stejně nezahaleně se prostituuje umění v zájmu politiky a komerce. (patro.cz)

Na rozdíl od mnoha jiných románů Honorého de Balzaca (1799-1850), v nichž autor vystupuje jako kritik společenských, politických či morálních poměrů své doby, Lilie v údolí je zasvěcena soukromé tematice, vztahu mezi mužem a ženou, a v tomto smyslu je nadčasová. Vypravěč nejprve líčí své chmurné dětství, kdy trpěl tím, že byl odmalička dán na výchovu mimo rodinu, cítil se nemilovaný, v dospívání pak pokořovaný chudobou a bezútěšně toužící po citu a ženě. Jednoho dne se tento už dvacetiletý chlapec, citově ani fyzicky ještě nerozvinutý, octne na venkovské slavnosti, potká tam ženu, v níž se mu náhle zpředmětní všechny dosavadní touhy a v náhlém pominutí smyslů ji políbí na nahá ramena. Od této chvíle se odvíjí příběh osudové lásky mezi Félixem a vdanou paní de Mortsaufovou, která trpí v nešťastném manželství s tyranským a labilním starcem. V peripetiích jejího vztahu s Félixem, plného zklamání a nadějí, odříkání i narůstající intimity projevuje Balzac velké mistrovství. Nečekaně ironický závěr pak podtrhuje mimořádnou působivost díla, ve kterém vzdal autor hold první ženě svého života, paní de Berny. Česky vychází román po téměř pětačtyřiceti letech jako první svazek edice SVĚTOVÍ KLASICI, která přináší známá i méně známá díla géniů světové literatury posledních staletí. Kritériem výběru je to, zda obstála ve zkoušce času a jsou schopna oslovit i dnešního čtenáře. (patro.cz)

Balzacov preslávený román zobrazuje vzťahy a trápenia vo všetkých spoločenských vrstvách. Otec Goriot miluje svoje dcéry nadovšetko, nájde im bohatých ženíchov, a tak im zabezpečí budúcnosť. Sám sa presťahuje do biedneho penziónu, aby im bol nablízku, no dcéry ho iba využívajú. Uvedomia si Anastasie a Deplhine, čo všetko kvôli nim otec obetoval, alebo to bude otec Goriot, ktorý príde o ilúzie? CEFR level: B2 (patro.cz)