The Jealousies of a Country Town By: Honoré de Balzac (1799-1850)
In Honoré de Balzac's intriguing novel, The Jealousies of a Country Town, the reader is transported to the heart of a provincial French town where jealousy and desire reign supreme. Against a backdrop of idyllic countryside and charming cottages, Balzac skillfully unveils a world consumed by envy, ambition, and the pursuit of love. The story revolves around the troubled lives of two cousins, Hortense and Léon de Chaulieu, whose fates become intertwined in a maelstrom of jealousy and romantic entanglements. Hortense, a beautiful and vivacious woman, wields her allure with precision, captivating the hearts of men from every corner of the town. Léon, on the other hand, is consumed by a burning ardor for his cousin, his love morphing into a dangerous obsession that threatens to destroy their lives and the lives of those around them. As Balzac delves deeper into the complex web of emotions that entangle these characters, he skillfully exposes the darkest corners of the human soul. The jealousy that grips the country town becomes a palpable force, squeezing the air out of every conversation and poisoning relationships with distrust and suspicion. Balzac's keen observation of human nature is on full display, as he masterfully paints a picture of a society where envy lurks beneath the facade of respectability. Through his rich and vivid descriptions, Balzac paints a vivid portrait of rural life in nineteenth-century France. From the humblest cottages to the grandest estates, he imbues each setting with a sense of authenticity and believability. The reader can almost feel the warm summer breeze rustling through the wheat fields or hear the whispers of gossip echoing through the narrow streets of the town. Balzac's writing style is both eloquent and evocative, effortlessly drawing the reader into the intricacies of his characters' lives. His ability to convey emotions with delicate precision allows the reader to empathize with the characters' struggles, even if their actions seem morally dubious. As the plot unfolds, Balzac manages to strike a delicate balance between sympathy and condemnation, leaving the reader torn between rooting for his flawed characters and questioning their choices. One aspect that stands out in this novel is Balzac's exploration of the role of women in a patriarchal society. Through Hortense's character, he challenges the societal expectations of femininity and explores the consequences of a woman who dares to assert her desires and ambitions. This theme adds depth and complexity to the story, elevating it beyond a simple tale of jealousy and desire. In conclusion, The Jealousies of a Country Town is a thought-provoking novel that delves deep into the human psyche, exposing the corrosive nature of jealousy and the destructive power of unrequited love. Balzac's impeccable storytelling, combined with his astute social commentary, makes this novel a compelling read that will leave the reader pondering its themes long after the final page is turned. First Page: THE JEALOUSIES OF A COUNTRY TOWN BY HONORE DE BALZAC INTRODUCTION The two stories of /Les Rivalites/ are more closely connected than it was always Balzac's habit to connect the tales which he united under a common heading. Not only are both devoted to the society of Alencon a town and neighborhood to which he had evidently strong, though it is not clearly known what, attractions not only is the Chevalier de Valois a notable figure in each; but the community, imparted by the elaborate study of the old /noblesse/ in each case, is even greater than either of these ties could give. Indeed, if instead of /Les Rivalites/ the author had chosen some label indicating the study of the /noblesse qui s'en va/, it might almost have been preferable. He did not, however; and though in a man who so constantly changed his titles and his arrangements the actual ones are not excessively authoritative, they have authority. /La Vieille Fille/, despite a certain tone of levity which, to do Balzac justice, is not common with him, and which is rather hard upon the poor heroine is one of the best and liveliest things he ever did. The opening picture of the Chevalier, though, like other things of its author's, especially in his overtures, liable to the charge of being elaborated a little too much, is one of the very best things of its kind, and is a sort of /locus classicus/ for its subject... Continue reading book >>

The Jealousies of a Country Town By: Honoré de Balzac (1799-1850)

In Honoré de Balzac's intriguing novel, The Jealousies of a Country Town, the reader is transported to the heart of a provincial French town where jealousy and desire reign supreme. Against a backdrop of idyllic countryside and charming cottages, Balzac skillfully unveils a world consumed by envy, ambition, and the pursuit of love.

The story revolves around the troubled lives of two cousins, Hortense and Léon de Chaulieu, whose fates become intertwined in a maelstrom of jealousy and romantic entanglements. Hortense, a beautiful and vivacious woman, wields her allure with precision, captivating the hearts of men from every corner of the town. Léon, on the other hand, is consumed by a burning ardor for his cousin, his love morphing into a dangerous obsession that threatens to destroy their lives and the lives of those around them.

As Balzac delves deeper into the complex web of emotions that entangle these characters, he skillfully exposes the darkest corners of the human soul. The jealousy that grips the country town becomes a palpable force, squeezing the air out of every conversation and poisoning relationships with distrust and suspicion. Balzac's keen observation of human nature is on full display, as he masterfully paints a picture of a society where envy lurks beneath the facade of respectability.

Through his rich and vivid descriptions, Balzac paints a vivid portrait of rural life in nineteenth-century France. From the humblest cottages to the grandest estates, he imbues each setting with a sense of authenticity and believability. The reader can almost feel the warm summer breeze rustling through the wheat fields or hear the whispers of gossip echoing through the narrow streets of the town.

Balzac's writing style is both eloquent and evocative, effortlessly drawing the reader into the intricacies of his characters' lives. His ability to convey emotions with delicate precision allows the reader to empathize with the characters' struggles, even if their actions seem morally dubious. As the plot unfolds, Balzac manages to strike a delicate balance between sympathy and condemnation, leaving the reader torn between rooting for his flawed characters and questioning their choices.

One aspect that stands out in this novel is Balzac's exploration of the role of women in a patriarchal society. Through Hortense's character, he challenges the societal expectations of femininity and explores the consequences of a woman who dares to assert her desires and ambitions. This theme adds depth and complexity to the story, elevating it beyond a simple tale of jealousy and desire.

In conclusion, The Jealousies of a Country Town is a thought-provoking novel that delves deep into the human psyche, exposing the corrosive nature of jealousy and the destructive power of unrequited love. Balzac's impeccable storytelling, combined with his astute social commentary, makes this novel a compelling read that will leave the reader pondering its themes long after the final page is turned.

First Page:

THE JEALOUSIES OF A COUNTRY TOWN

HONORE DE BALZAC

INTRODUCTION

The two stories of /Les Rivalites/ are more closely connected than it was always Balzac's habit to connect the tales which he united under a common heading. Not only are both devoted to the society of Alencon a town and neighborhood to which he had evidently strong, though it is not clearly known what, attractions not only is the Chevalier de Valois a notable figure in each; but the community, imparted by the elaborate study of the old /noblesse/ in each case, is even greater than either of these ties could give. Indeed, if instead of /Les Rivalites/ the author had chosen some label indicating the study of the /noblesse qui s'en va/, it might almost have been preferable. He did not, however; and though in a man who so constantly changed his titles and his arrangements the actual ones are not excessively authoritative, they have authority.

/La Vieille Fille/, despite a certain tone of levity which, to do Balzac justice, is not common with him, and which is rather hard upon the poor heroine is one of the best and liveliest things he ever did. The opening picture of the Chevalier, though, like other things of its author's, especially in his overtures, liable to the charge of being elaborated a little too much, is one of the very best things of its kind, and is a sort of /locus classicus/ for its subject... Continue reading book >>

eBook links
Wikipedia – Honoré de Balzac
Wikipedia – The Jealousies of a Country Town

eBook Downloads
ePUB eBook • iBooks for iPhone and iPad • Nook • Sony Reader	Kindle eBook • Mobi file format for Kindle
Read eBook • Load eBook in browser	Text File eBook • Computers • Windows • Mac