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Honoré de Balzac

Veronique Graslin is a woman of strength.

Despite being scarred by smallpox at 11, and then railroaded into a miserable marriage with a man who resembles an "antique satyr", she builds a life of wealth and good works in the French countryside.

But, nibbling away at her conscience like a persistent rat, there is a dark secret that will not let her go.

After Veronique encounters two criminals, as well as Monsieur Bonnet, the insightful rector, she feels that her soul is being "ploughed".

Balzac's novel mixes the spiritual with the political, exposing rural injustice, and railing against the horrific conditions endured by criminals on the French galleys.

All the time, he tiptoes toward the big reveal: what is Veronique's secret?

If you like 'Bleak House' by Charles Dickens and 'Les Miserables' by Victor Hugo, you will enjoy 'The Village Rector'.

Honoré de Balzac (1799-1850) was a French novelist and playwright, most famous for a sequence of novels, collectively called 'The Human Comedy'. His signature style was a warts-and-all representation of post-Napoleonic French life, rich in detail and featuring complex, unfiltered characters.

The style means Balzac is regarded as one of the pioneers of European literary realism. He is named as an influence on writers including Emile Zola, Henry James, Charles Dickens, and Gustave Flaubert.

The first novel he published under his own name was 'Les Chouans' in 1829. In 1834 he hit upon the idea of grouping his novels together to record all of society. The result, over a period of years, was 'The Human Comedy', which comprised three categories: 'Analytic Studies'; 'Philosophical Studies'; and 'Studies of Manners'.

SAGA Egmont

The Human Comedy: Scenes from Country Life

The Village Rector

Katharine Prescott Wormeley

"Vive la counter-revolution!"

In 'Sons of the Soil', Balzac tells an extraordinary story of gentry and peasants, complacency and corruption, jealousy and revenge. And it has a contentious central message: the Revolution upset the balance and sowed new divisions between the classes.

Centred around General Moncornet's chateau and estate in Burgundy, there is a large, fascinating cast of listless ladies and gentlemen indoors who "get what amusement they can out of carefully dressing themselves". Meanwhile, the staff are scheming and the locals con and poach their way through life.

With the skill of Charles Dickens, Balzac draws together the main characters and enmeshes them in a murderous and treacherous plot with numerous serpentine twists.

Fans of 'Downton Abbey' and Dickens' classics, including 'Bleak House' and 'A Tale of Two Cities' will love this.

Honoré de Balzac (1799-1850) was a French novelist and playwright, most famous for a sequence of novels, collectively called 'The Human Comedy'. His signature style was a warts-and-all representation of post-Napoleonic French life, rich in detail and featuring complex, unfiltered characters.

The style means Balzac is regarded as one of the pioneers of European literary realism. He is named as an influence on writers including Emile Zola, Henry James, Charles Dickens, and Gustave Flaubert.

The first novel he published under his own name was 'Les Chouans' in 1829. In 1834 he hit upon the idea of grouping his novels together to record all of society. The result, over a period of years, was 'The Human Comedy', which comprised three categories: 'Analytic Studies'; 'Philosophical Studies'; and 'Studies of Manners'.

Sons of the Soil

Dr. Benassis is a doctor and a village major. Thanks to him, the once poor village has started to blossom. The village is getting richer and richer, and also the villagers seem very happy about the situation. 

When commander Genestas arrives at the village, Dr. Benassis tells him about the changes he has made in the town. The two of them build a special friendship – without knowing that both of them also carry secrets. 

Honoré de Balzac (1799–1850) was a French writer. He was born in Tours, but moved to Paris when he was a teenager. The best known works of his include ‘Father Goriot’ and ‘Cousin Bette’. Balzac’s writing style is realistic, and he also wrote plays. Besides writing he worked as a journalist and critic.

The Country Doctor

Clara Bell