The Secrets of the Princesse De Cadignan

Name: The Secrets of the Princesse De Cadignan
Author: Honoré De Balzac

The novel revolves around the life of a young woman who marries an older man for financial security and social status. She becomes embroiled in a complicated web of relationships with her husband's family members, particularly his nephew, who is charming but untrustworthy. As she navigates these complex relationships, she must also contend with her own desires and sense of identity. The novel explores themes of love, class, and morality in 19th-century France. The story is told through a series of flashbacks, which reveal the protagonist's past and her motivations for marrying her husband. Through this narrative structure, the novel provides insight into the social conventions and expectations that governed women's lives during this time period. Ultimately, the novel raises questions about the nature of love, loyalty, and deception in relationships, and challenges readers to consider the complexities of human behavior.

By Honoré De Balzac · First published 1830 · Genre: Literary Fiction, Romance, Social Commentary · 5 chapters · 24,106 words

First lines

After the disasters of the revolution of July, which destroyed so many aristocratic fortunes dependent on the court, Madame la Princesse de Cadignan was clever enough to attribute to political events the total ruin she had caused by her own extravagance. The prince left France with the royal family, and never returned to it, leaving the princess in Paris, protected by the fact of his absence; for their debts, which the sale of all their salable property had not been able to extinguish, could only be recovered through him. The revenues of the entailed estates had been seized. In short, the affairs of this great family were in as bad a state as those of the elder branch of the Bourbons.

What this Textopian page supports

The Secrets of the Princesse De Cadignan is listed on Textopian as a novel by Honoré De Balzac, dated 1830 CE.

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Work type: Novel
Author: Honoré De Balzac
Date: 1830 CE
Language: English
Genres: Literary Fiction, Romance, Social Commentary, Historical Fiction, Drama
Length: 24,106 words
Structure: 5 chapters, 302 paragraphs
Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)

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Genres

Literary Fiction — The book is a part of a larger series that explores complex characters and social dynamics, typical of literary fiction.
Romance — The narrative centers around romantic entanglements and the intricacies of love and relationships.
Social Commentary — The story provides insight into the social structures and norms of the time, critiquing the aristocracy and societal expectations.
Historical Fiction — Set in a specific historical context, the book reflects the customs and events of its era.