High Old Man (Full Translation with Illustrations)

Author: (French) Balzac
Publisher:
Publication Date: Not available
Features: The Grandfather is one of the most renowned novels in the series La Comédie Humaine by the outstanding French realist writer Balzac. Set against the backdrop of Paris in late 1819 and early 1820, the work primarily follows the parallel and intersecting stories of the noodle merchant Grandfather and the young university student Rastignac. It vividly portrays a snapshot of French society during the Bourbon Restoration period, critiquing the "paternal love" and "family affection" built on the foundation of money, and delivering a powerful indictment of a society consumed by materialism and moral decay. The work perfectly embodies the artistic style of La Comédie Humaine. Balzac employed the technique of character reappearance—where the same character appears in different works—for the first time in this work. The successful use of this technique enhanced the overall coherence and continuity of La Comédie Humaine, marking the beginning of the series. In 1999, it was selected for the "Ideal Reading List for Chinese Readers." It was also included in the "Lifetime Reading Plan" compiled by the American cultural figure Paul Fussman.