César Birotteau

César Birotteau

by Honoré de Balzac

César Birotteau is a deeply affecting story of a Parisian perfumer who rises from humble beginnings to achieve considerable success in the years following the Napoleonic era. Driven by ambition and a desire to secure a place in the upper echelons of society, he embarks on a risky financial venture that leads to his downfall. The novel explores the themes of social mobility, class conflict, the complexities of ambition and honor, and the impact of financial instability on individuals and families. Through Birotteau's struggles, Balzac paints a vivid picture of Parisian society during a time of great change, exposing the moral and financial pitfalls of a world obsessed with status and wealth.

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Honoré de Balzac image

Honoré de was a French novelist and playwright. The novel sequence La Comédie humaine, which presents a panorama of post-Napoleonic French life, is generally viewed as his magnum opus....

Books by Honoré de Balzac

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