The Village Rector

Name: The Village Rector
Author: Honoré De Balzac

The story revolves around a young priest who becomes the rector of a rural village. He faces challenges from the local population and struggles to maintain his faith in the face of skepticism and corruption. The novel explores themes of morality, power, and the decline of traditional values in rural France during the early 19th century.

By Honoré De Balzac · First published 1825 · Genre: Realism, Drama, Romance · 20 chapters · 107,360 words

First lines

In the lower town of Limoges, at the corner of the rue de la Vieille-Poste and the rue de la Cite might have been seen, a generation ago, one of those shops which were scarcely changed from the period of the middle-ages. Large tiles seamed with a thousand cracks lay on the soil itself, which was damp in places, and would have tripped up those who failed to observe the hollows and ridges of this singular flooring. The dusty walls exhibited a curious mosaic of wood and brick, stones and iron, welded together with a solidity due to time, possibly to chance. For more than a hundred years the ceiling, formed of colossal beams, bent beneath the weight of the upper stories, though it had never given way under them. Built _en colombage_, that is to say, with a wooden frontage, the whole facade was covered with slates, so put on as to form geometrical figures, -- thus preserving a naive image of the burgher habitations of the olden time.

What this Textopian page supports

The Village Rector is listed on Textopian as a novel by Honoré De Balzac, dated 1825 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: 1825 CE
Language: English
Genres: Realism, Drama, Romance, Social Commentary, Philosophical
Length: 107,360 words
Structure: 20 chapters, 1,422 paragraphs
Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)

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Discussion starters

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Similar titles

Genres

Realism — The book provides a detailed and realistic portrayal of rural French life and society.
Drama — The narrative is driven by intense emotional and moral conflicts among the characters.
Romance — The plot includes romantic elements and relationships that influence the characters' decisions.
Social Commentary — The story critiques social structures and norms of the time, particularly in rural settings.