Le Père Goriot by Honoré de Balzac

This month’s read: Le Père Goriot by Honoré de Balzac

Join us to discuss Le Père Goriot (translated as Father Goriot or Old Goriot), an influential realist novel and a key work in Balzac's The Human Comedy series.

Published in 1835, the book offers a vivid portrayal of ambition, money, and social climbing in 19th-century Paris. It centers on a father’s unwavering devotion to his daughters and the consequences that follow.

Spaces are limited; RSVP required. You are welcome to participate regardless of whether you've finished the book. Looking forward to seeing you there!

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Set in Paris during the Bourbon Restoration, the story revolves around the rise and fall of Eugène de Rastignac, an ambitious law student, and his relationship with the enigmatic, tragic figure of Father Goriot.

The novel masterfully weaves a captivating tapestry of human relationships, ambition, and desire within the boarding house Maison Vauquer. At the heart of the narrative lies Goriot, a once-wealthy merchant, now a destitute, broken man, driven by the all-consuming love for his two ungrateful daughters. The ever-astute Rastignac finds himself entangled in the cruel machinations of Parisian high society, as he navigates the treacherous terrain of social climbing, wealth, and power.

Balzac's incisive, unsparing prose vividly captures the complexity of human nature and the darker corners of 19th-century Paris, with its opulence and squalor, honor and betrayal.

Source: Amazon.com