As the title suggests, I am looking to get into some Balzac this summer (he has been on my reading list for probably 6 years now) and I'm wondering if anyone has a personal preference of a good starter novel. I have only read a few of his shorter works.
Also, I figure that I will dedicate much of my summer to French reading. While not unexperienced in French literature, my knowledge is limited to the bigger names. I'm wondering if someone could recommend a good contemporary novel out of France (with an English translation)?