The King's Sweetheart
This novel revolves around the life of a young woman who becomes embroiled in a complex web of relationships and power struggles at the French court during the Restoration period. She is a beautiful and cunning courtesan, known for her intelligence and wit, who uses her charms to manipulate those around her and secure her position. The story explores themes of love, loyalty, and deception as the protagonist navigates the treacherous landscape of royal politics and personal relationships. Along the way, she must confront her own desires and motivations, as well as the consequences of her actions. Throughout the novel, Balzac's masterful prose weaves together a rich tapestry of characters and plot threads, creating a nuanced and engaging portrait of life in 19th-century France.
By Honoré De Balzac · First published 1830 · Genre: Historical Fiction, Romance, Satire · 5,678 words
First lines
There lived at this time at the forges of the Pont-aux-Change, a goldsmith whose daughter was talked about in Paris on account of her great beauty, and renowned above all things for her exceeding gracefulness. There were those who sought her favours by the usual tricks of love and, but others offered large sums of money to the father to give them his daughter in lawful wedlock, the which pleased him not a little.
What this Textopian page supports
The King's Sweetheart is listed on Textopian as a novella by Honoré De Balzac, dated 1830 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Novella
- Author: Honoré De Balzac
- Date: 1830 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Historical Fiction, Romance, Satire, Drama, Comedy
- Length: 5,678 words
- Structure: 1 section, 79 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
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- Work identity for The King's Sweetheart by Honoré De Balzac
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Discussion starters
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Similar titles
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Genres
- Historical Fiction — The narrative is set in a historical context, involving a king and societal norms of the time.
- Romance — The plot revolves around romantic entanglements and the pursuit of love.
- Satire — The story uses humor and irony to critique societal norms and human behavior.
- Drama — The narrative includes intense emotional conflicts and dramatic situations.
Tags
Historical Fiction · Romance · Social Commentary · Satire · French Literature · 19th Century Novel · Realism · Literary Classic · Courtly Love · Royal Politics · Love Triangle · Social Hierarchy