The Alkahest by Honoré De Balzac

Name: The Alkahest
Author: Honoré De Balzac

This novel revolves around the theme of love and its destructive power. It tells the story of a young woman who becomes embroiled in a complicated web of relationships with two men: one who is wealthy but unfaithful, and another who is poor but genuinely in love with her. The narrative explores the consequences of her choices and the devastating effects they have on those around her.

By Honoré De Balzac · First published 1829 · Genre: Realism, Philosophical Fiction, Family Saga · 16 chapters · 82,206 words

First lines

There is a house at Douai in the rue de Paris, whose aspect, interior arrangements, and details have preserved, to a greater degree than those of other domiciles, the characteristics of the old Flemish buildings, so naively adapted to the patriarchal manners and customs of that excellent land. Before describing this house it may be well, in the interest of other writers, to explain the necessity for such didactic preliminaries, -- since they have roused a protest from certain ignorant and voracious readers who want emotions without undergoing the generating process, the flower without the seed, the child without gestation. Is Art supposed to have higher powers than Nature?

What this Textopian page supports

The Alkahest is listed on Textopian as a novel by Honoré De Balzac, dated 1829 CE.

This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.

Work type: Novel
Author: Honoré De Balzac
Date: 1829 CE
Language: English
Genres: Realism, Philosophical Fiction, Family Saga, Psychological Fiction, Historical Fiction
Length: 82,206 words
Structure: 16 chapters, 1,128 paragraphs
Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)

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Work identity for The Alkahest by Honoré De Balzac
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Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Discussion starters

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How does this novel by Honoré De Balzac fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
Where does Realism first become important in the reading?

Similar titles

Genres

Realism — The book is a detailed portrayal of life and society, focusing on the realistic depiction of characters and their interactions.
Philosophical Fiction — The narrative explores deep philosophical themes, particularly the quest for knowledge and its impact on human life.
Family Saga — The story revolves around the dynamics and relationships within a family, highlighting generational conflicts and personal struggles.
Psychological Fiction — The book delves into the psychological motivations and inner workings of its characters, examining their mental and emotional states.