55 pages • 1 hour read
Le Père Goriot
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Book Brief
304
Novel • Fiction
Paris • 1810s
1835
Adult
18+ years
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.
Melancholic
Dark
Mysterious
Gritty
Contemplative
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.
Père Goriot
Père Goriot
An elderly retired merchant living at the Maison Vauquer, whose obsessive devotion to his daughters leaves him destitute and overlooked by those he loves. He represents the potential downfalls of unconditional paternal love.
Delphine de Nucingen
Delphine de Nucingen
The young, ambitious, and somewhat neglected daughter of Père Goriot, who is married to a German banker but seeks validation and status within Parisian high society. She is involved with Eugène De Rastignac emotionally and socially.
Vautrin
Vautrin
A charismatic and manipulative criminal hiding under a false identity at the Maison Vauquer. He provides a dark commentary on society and attempts to involve others in his schemes.
304
Novel • Fiction
Paris • 1810s
1835
Adult
18+ years
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