History of the Rise and Fall of a Socialite (Foreign Literature Collection)

Author: Balzac
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2002-10-01
Features: The History of the Fallen narrates the secret love between a courtesan, Esther, and a young poet, Lucien. At a masked ball, she is recognized and plans to take her own life to conceal her background. A escaped convict disguised as a Spanish priest, Vautrin, saves her and takes her under his control. Vautrin also becomes Lucien's master after saving his life and plans to take revenge on the rulers through him. To support Lucien's advancement into the ruling class, he forces Esther to return to her old trade, becoming the mistress of the financier Nucingen. Esther commits suicide in hatred. Lucien and Vautrin are arrested and imprisoned as a result. Soon after, Lucien takes his own life in prison, leaving Vautrin devastated. After a fierce struggle with the ruling powers in prison, Vautrin finally submits and becomes the chief of security at the Paris Police Department.