The best works of Balzac.

I'd say Splendeurs et misères des courtisanes. I think I read it three or four times.

Balzac penned a poisonious little lesbian story entitled, 'The Girl with Green Eyes'...

Would anyone be kind enough to inform me as to who are good translators of M. Balzac? Specifically if the 1950 Modern Library edition is a worthwhile version of his 2 well-known works?

Quote:

---

La Père Goriot & Eugénie Grandet (Modern Library, 245.1) [Hardcover]
E. K. Brown (Translator, Introduction), Dorothea Walter (Translator), John Watkins (Translator)

---

I ran across this version in a used bookstore & almost purchased it but wasn't sure about the translator. I am always at odds since I prize vintage hardcovers yet prefer modern (in regards to research, not language usage) translations. Any help would be appreciated.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by saturnine

Would anyone be kind enough to inform me as to who are good translators of M. Balzac? Specifically if the 1950 Modern Library edition is a worthwhile version of his 2 well-known works?



I ran across this version in a used bookstore & almost purchased it but wasn't sure about the translator. I am always at odds since I prize vintage hardcovers yet prefer modern (in regards to research, not language usage) translations. Any help would be appreciated.

---

I'd hate to think Modern Library would let us down, but you could also check out Ellen Marriage's translation. It's old and in the public domain. I read her translation of Pere Goriot and found nothing to complain about. In fact, she sharpens Balzac's vituperative wit even further. Try it!:smile5:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Pryderi Agni

I'd hate to think Modern Library would let us down, but you could also check out Ellen Marriage's translation. It's old and in the public domain. I read her translation of Pere Goriot and found nothing to complain about. In fact, she sharpens Balzac's vituperative wit even further. Try it!:smile5:

---

Thank you for the reply. I went ahead & picked up that copy as, like you said, I presumed a Modern Library version could be trusted, even if they aren't current.

But it's always good to have an electronic copy available, so I will look into Ms. Marriage's translation as well.

Cheers.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Agatha

Fristly if I were you, I would go for 'Le Père Goriot'- the most recognised and famous piece of work of Balzac. If you like it(I'm sure you'll), then you can try 'Illusions perdues', 'Eugénie Grandet' or 'La Cousine Bette'.

---

You can also read " Caterina de Medici" By Balzac
It is a wonderfull piece of literatura.

I have read Lost Illusions and find Lucien Chardon fascinating, but he is far from being my favorite fiction hero ever. He is weak, a "femmelette" as D'Arthez calls him in his letter to Lucien's sister. His education is frustrating as he seems to fall in every trap life lays in front of him and doesn't have the guts to assume his responsibilities. Furthermore, he often is a complete idiot, easily played by others, journalists, femmes du monde, and even the Brothers Cointet and the clerk they've hired to trick David...
Rastignac in the Pere Goriot is somehow morally and intellectually superior to Lucien; he also is socially more sophisticated and successful.
What do you think? What aspect of Lucien have I missed to despise him like I do?

Hi, i am new to Balzac
Could you please suggest me any Balzac's work to start with.
thank you.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by ashthehunk

Hi, i am new to Balzac
Could you please suggest me any Balzac's work to start with.
thank you.

---

Anything you please. Balzac is a prerrequisite to the writers of the 19th and 20th century. He could make a world out of a small perimeter, precisely because that's more than anyone can handle when properly analysed. We ought to his writings a lot of the progress that was ever made in history and for history as a science.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by cafolini

Anything you please. Balzac is a prerrequisite to the writers of the 19th and 20th century. He could make a world out of a small perimeter, precisely because that's more than anyone can handle when properly analysed. We ought to his writings a lot of the progress that was ever made in history and for history as a science.

---

thanks friend
but could you name some for me
cause i have no idea of his writings
or
you want me to explore on my own self