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Book Synopsis
Passionate and perceptive, the three short novels that make up Balzac''s History of the Thirteen are concerned in part with the activities of a rich, powerful, sinister and unscrupulous secret society in nineteenth-century France. While the deeds of ''The Thirteen'' remain frequently in the background, however, the individual novels are concerned with exploring various forms of desire. A tragic love story, Ferragus depicts a marriage destroyed by suspicion, revelation and misunderstanding. The Duchess de Langeais explores the anguish that results when a society coquette tries to seduce a heroic ex-soldier, while The Girl with the Golden Eyes offers a frank consideration of desire and sexuality. Together, these works provide a firm and fascinating foundation for Balzac''s many later portrayals of Parisian life in his great novel-cycle The Human Comedy.

History of the Thirteen

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    A Paperback / softback by Honoré de Balzac, Herbert Hunt

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      Book details

      Publisher Penguin Random House Group
      Imprint Penguin Classics
      Published 29 August 1974
      ISBN-13 9780140443011
      978-0140443011
      ISBN-10 0140443010
      Also in:
      Anthologies & Short Stories Honore De Balzac Books by Honore De Balzac

      Description

      Book Synopsis
      Passionate and perceptive, the three short novels that make up Balzac''s History of the Thirteen are concerned in part with the activities of a rich, powerful, sinister and unscrupulous secret society in nineteenth-century France. While the deeds of ''The Thirteen'' remain frequently in the background, however, the individual novels are concerned with exploring various forms of desire. A tragic love story, Ferragus depicts a marriage destroyed by suspicion, revelation and misunderstanding. The Duchess de Langeais explores the anguish that results when a society coquette tries to seduce a heroic ex-soldier, while The Girl with the Golden Eyes offers a frank consideration of desire and sexuality. Together, these works provide a firm and fascinating foundation for Balzac''s many later portrayals of Parisian life in his great novel-cycle The Human Comedy.

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