Eugénie Grandet

Author: Balzac, translated by Li Hengji
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2002-08-01
Features: The story of the novel begins with a birthday gathering of Eugénie Grandet, where Balzac allows the characters in the novel to make their appearances one by one. Thus, the subtle and sharp intrigue between the Krug family and the Grandet family, revolving around the marriage issue of the only daughter of the millionaire, unfolds in the drawing room of Grandet's mansion. It is all laid out one by one until the unexpected visitor, the nephew of the Grandet family, knocks on the door, like a stone suddenly falling into a pond, instantly stirring up new waves. Then, the novel transitions from one act to several others like a multi-act play, with the characters' words, actions, thoughts, and emotions developing along with the plot, gradually building towards a climax and then moving towards the conclusion. The stingy and shrewd millionaire has an innocent and beautiful only daughter, who falls in love with a bankrupt and destitute relative. To help him "make his way in the world," she gives away all her savings, infuriating her money-loving father and causing a fierce conflict between father and daughter. The timid and virtuous mother, terrified, falls ill and never recovers. Yet, the passionate girl, who loses her father in anticipation and wastes her youth in vain, finally waits for is the faithless man who returns enriched.