55 pages • 1 hour read
Honoré de BalzacLe Père Goriot
Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1835A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
Le Père Goriot by Honoré de Balzac, set in Madame Vauquer's boarding house, follows three main characters: Goriot, a doting father whose fortunes have dwindled; Rastignac, a law student aspiring to join high society; and Vautrin, a criminal offering sinister paths to wealth. Through their intertwined lives, the novel explores themes of ambition, class, and the moral consequences of pursuing power. The book includes themes of familial neglect, financial ruin, and death.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Le Père Goriot by Honoré de Balzac masterfully depicts Parisian society and explores themes of parental sacrifice and social ambition. Readers praise its rich character development and detailed realism, though some find its dense prose challenging. The novel's stark portrayal of human nature and intricate narrative make it a compelling, albeit demanding, read.
Who Should Read Le Père Goriot?
Le Père Goriot by Honoré de Balzac will captivate readers enamored with richly detailed portrayals of 19th-century Parisian society, highlighting themes of ambition, familial duty, and moral complexities. Comparable to Flaubert's Madame Bovary and Tolstoy's War and Peace, it appeals to lovers of classic literature and character-driven narratives.
304
Novel • Fiction
Paris • 1810s
1835
Adult
18+ years
Continue your reading experience
Subscribe now to unlock the rest of this Study Guide plus our full library, which features expert-written summaries and analyses of 8,000+ additional titles.