Human Comedy, Volume 12

Author: Balzac (France) / Yuan Shuren
Publisher:
Publish Date: 1997-08-01
Features: The Splendid Career consists of four novellas. The first began to be conceived in 1835, with its initial draft being the novella The Electric Eel. In October 1838, it was published together with The Outstanding Woman and The Bank of Nucingen by Werdet. The second was initially titled Esther or the Old Banker's Love and was serialized in the Parisian magazine from May 21, 1843, to July 1, 1843. In August 1844, Potier published the first two parts combined into a three-volume set under the title The Splendid Career of Esther, the Fallen Woman, which was divided into four parts: The Repentant Prostitute, Preparation for Struggle, The Beauty's Money, and The Millionaire's Melancholy. This book spanned thirteen years from its initial conception to its final completion, making it the longest in Balzac's works in terms of the creative process and also the one featuring the most characters being sold.