Eugenie Grandet (with disc)

Author: Balzac
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2003-08-01
Features: "Eugenie Grandet" is one of Balzac's representative works. The outstanding achievement of this novel lies in its portrayal of a cunning, greedy, and miserly bourgeoisie upstart. The novel depicts the criminal rise of the bourgeoisie, with its central character, Grandet, rising to prominence during the turmoil of the French Revolution. During the Restoration period, he controlled the market, inflated prices, engaged in government bond speculation, and multiplied his wealth several times over. His nephew Charles made a fortune through slave trading, usury, tax evasion, smuggling, and collusion with pirates. The rise of the bourgeoisie had rarely been the focus of literary attention, yet Balzac began to notice this significant social phenomenon. His exposure carries profound social significance.