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.

Authors

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

Listen/Download Audiobook

Read by:
00:00
Playback Speed 1.0
00:00
  • Select Speed

Related books

Dawn of All Cover image

Dawn of All by Robert Hugh Benson

This book, written as a sequel to 'Lord of the World,' explores a future where ancient thought and traditional religious values are experiencing a res...

Liebe der Erika Ewald Cover image

Liebe der Erika Ewald by Stefan Zweig

In 'Liebe der Erika Ewald', Stefan Zweig delves into the complexities of love and its potential pitfalls. The story follows Erika, a talented pianist,...

Jean-Christophe In Paris Cover image

Jean-Christophe In Paris by Romain Rolland

The story follows the protagonist, a musician named Jean-Christophe Krafft, as he moves to Paris to pursue his career. Jean-Christophe is torn between...

Agamemnon (Browning Translation) Cover image

Agamemnon (Browning Translation) by Aeschylus

Agamemnon, by Aeschylus, is a powerful and tragic play that explores themes of revenge, betrayal, and the consequences of hubris. It is the first part...

The Wonderful Wizard of Oz Cover image

The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum

One of the greatest American novels and a popular culture sensation, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz depicts the adventures of the young Dorothy Gale, who...

Dr. Deane's Way, and Other Stories Cover image

Dr. Deane's Way, and Other Stories by Pansy (Isabella Macdonald Alden)

In her classic collection of short stories, Dr. Deane's Way, and Other Stories, Pansy explores the answers to this question. She tells the stories of...

Dark Night's Work Cover image

Dark Night's Work by Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell

“Dark Night’s Work” delves into the complexities of Victorian England, exploring themes of class, love, and morality. It centers around a seemingly or...

A Daughter of the Land Cover image

A Daughter of the Land by Gene Stratton-Porter

Independent Kate Bates resents the fact that, as the youngest of a large family, she is expected to stay at home and help her parents while her brothe...

Astoria; Or, Anecdotes of an Enterprise Beyond the Rocky Mountains Cover image

Astoria; Or, Anecdotes of an Enterprise Beyond the Rocky Mountains by Washington Irving

Astoria chronicles the daring expedition of John Jacob Astor, a wealthy New York fur magnate, to establish a fur trading post and outpost of American...

Memoirs of a Country Doll Cover image

Memoirs of a Country Doll by Mary Curtis

Imagine a doll that can tell her own story. A doll who has seen and done it all, from the idyllic countryside to the glittering ballrooms of London. A...

Reviews for César Birotteau

No reviews posted or approved, yet...