Scenes from a Courtesan's Life
Gelesen von Bruce Pirie
Honoré de Balzac
(4,885 Sterne; 39 Bewertungen)
Scenes from a Courtesan's Life is one of the last great works completed by Balzac for his huge novel series entitled The Human Comedy. Sections of this book, in various groupings and with various titles, were published between 1838 and 1847. It eventually settled into the four sections found in the present edition. The French title — Splendeurs et misères des courtesanes — literally, Splendors and Miseries of Courtesans — has also been translated as A Harlot High and Low. The story picks up at the end of Lost Illusions (1843), an earlier novel by Balzac. At the end of that book, Lucien de Rubempré (born Lucien Chardon), a young provincial poet with great ambitions but feeble moral will, was heading for Paris in the company of a mysterious Spanish priest. In the present book, we quickly discover that the "Spanish priest" is actually Jacques Collin, alias "Vautrin," a master criminal first introduced to readers in Balzac's Father Goriot (1835). Lucien develops a relationship with Esther van Gobseck, a prostitute (the "courtesan" of the title). With these three main figures — Lucien, Vautrin, and Esther — Balzac explores the corruption of the aristocracy, the world of prostitution, the courts, and the prisons of 19th-century Paris. With masterful depictions of society and individual psychology, Balzac is considered a father of realism in fiction. - Summary by Bruce Pirie
The Balzac Lost Illusions trilogy preceding this book:
Lost Illusions: Two Poets
Lost Illusions: A Distinguished Provincial at Paris
Lost Illusions: Ève and David (22 hr 52 min)
Chapters
Bewertungen
Brilliant!
jenniebrown
(5 Sterne)
Balzac has been difficult to appreciate for me but Mr. Pirie has pulled me into the unforgiving world of the author. Often times one must suspend all preconceived ideals of today and it is richly rewarded...unbelievably rewarded. Balzac will offend and gloriously so! Thank you Mr. Pirie for expanding my world.
Excellent
Compulsive Reader
(5 Sterne)
An excellent follow up to the three previous books as mentioned in the synopsis. Mr. Bruce Pirie again was a joy to listen to, thank you, JK
I thoroughly enjoyed this complex, yet compelling novel.
kat
(5 Sterne)
An excellent read by the inimitable Bruce Pirie.
(5 Sterne)
Extremely well read book - very enjoyable! thanks!
A most engaging reading of a Balzac classic
Debbie W.
(5 Sterne)
Sheryl Dalton
(5 Sterne)
wonderful book & perfect narration. thanks
Brilliant work of art and genius!!
Cris Spenner
(5 Sterne)
Lucién reappears.
FreeMr.Peltier
(5 Sterne)
You should read the "Lost Illusions" trilogy before this because some of the same characters stories continue here. I liked this one the best. All of the four novels are very intriguing and well written. I did have a little difficulty keeping track of a few minor characters, partially because their French names sounded similar. Thank you to the excellent reader.