Project Gutenberg
2005-08-10
Public domain in the USA.
343
Balzac, Honoré de
1799
1850
Balzac, Honore de
Saint-Aubin, Horace de
De Balzac, Honoré
Balzac, H. de (Honoré de)
Saintsbury, George
1845
1933
Saintsbury, George Edward Bateman
Wormeley, Katharine Prescott
1830
1908
The Celibates
Pierrette
The Vicar of Tours
The Two Brothers
Produced by John Bickers; and Dagny
"The Celibates" by Honoré de Balzac is a novel written in the early 19th century that explores themes of loneliness and societal roles through the lives of various single characters. The book centers on the lives of bachelors and old maids, delving into their individual experiences and relationships, particularly focusing on the character Pierrette Lorrain and her cousin, Sylvie Rogron. This work is part of Balzac's broader collection, "Comédie Humaine," which presents a detailed portrayal of French society. At the start of "The Celibates," we are introduced to the precursors of the tale through an exposition that sets the stage for the narrative. The opening chapters describe the peaceful, yet melancholic life in the town of Provins, where a young worker named Brigaut is seen expressing his affection for Pierrette Lorrain, a beautiful girl confined by her circumstances. As we learn about the Rogrons, Pierrette's new guardians, their self-serving motivations and reluctance to accept Pierrette into their home paint a grim picture of familial dynamics and societal expectations. The text sets the groundwork for a poignant exploration of the trials faced by these celibates, particularly Pierrette, as they navigate their constrained lives filled with secrets, ambitions, and the harsh realities of their social standings. (This is an automatically generated summary.)
Reading ease score: 74.8 (7th grade). Fairly easy to read.
en
France -- Fiction
Celibacy -- Fiction
PQ
Text
Category: Novels
Category: French Literature
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