In The Executioner, Honoré de Balzac tells the story of a man named Pierre Grassou, a humble Parisian locksmith who is forced to take on the role of executioner in order to pay off his debts. Pierre is a kind and gentle man who is horrified by the thought of taking a life, but he is desperate to provide for his family and so he reluctantly agrees to the job. The novel follows Pierre as he struggles to come to terms with his new role and the moral implications of his actions. He is haunted by the memories of the people he has executed and is wracked with guilt and remorse. He also finds himself in a difficult situation when he falls in love with the daughter of one of his victims. The Executioner is a powerful and moving story about the human capacity for both good and evil, and the consequences of our choices. It is a timeless classic that will stay with readers long after they have finished the book.
By Honoré De Balzac · First published 1829 · Genre: Realistic Fiction, Historical Fiction, Romance