Available Formats
La Maison du Chat-qui-pelote by Honoré de Balzac
by Balzac, Honoré de, 1799-1850Description
La Maison du Chat-qui-pelote by Honoré de Balzac is a novel written in the early 19th century. It serves as part of Balzac’s larger work, La Comédie Humaine, and revolves around the lives of a merchant draper and his family in Paris. The narrative centers on the interactions between characters such as the young artist Théodore de Sommervieux and the daughters of the merchant, Augustine and Virginie, shedding light on themes of love, social class, and the contrast between art and commerce. At the start of the story, we are introduced to a quaint, old drapery shop known as Chat-qui-pelote and its monochrome surroundings. A young man, later revealed to be the artist Théodore, is enchanted by the sight of the shop and its modest charm, particularly its inhabitants, including the vivacious Augustine who captures his heart at first glance. The plot sets the stage for intertwining relationships marked by love, the aspirations of youth, and parental expectations, as the family navigates the realities of life and the influences of modern society. The opening portion establishes both a vivid depiction of Parisian life and the dynamics within the household, setting up both conflict and romance for the characters involved. (This is an automatically generated summary.)
