Honore de Balzac is a great
writer of French descent, whose Human Comedy, which contained about a hundred novels (97 volumes), became a peculiar reflection of the era. “A mighty and tireless hard worker” - that is what his close friend and colleague Victor Hugo called the famous writer.
Life and works of Honore de Balzac
Despite the prefix "de", characteristic of aristocrats, Honore de Balzac did not come from a family of nobles. According to some reports, his father came from the peasant class, and his mother came from a bourgeois family. From the age of four, the future writer was brought up outside the house: at first Balzac studied at the clerical school, then he fell to staying in boarding schools, of which Honore had the most negative memories. Having completed his education (bachelor's degree), the young man entered the notary's office, where he served for almost three years. However, when his father invited him to open his own practice, Honore refused, determined to devote himself to literature (by then he had already written several novels). Having settled in a poor Paris quarter, the writer eagerly set to work. The novel, which in the near future will make Honore widely known, came out from under his pen with fantastic speed. But critics were ruthless - they did not recognize his works.
Then the time of lack of money came for the unknown writer, and Honore de Balzac (whose works at that time were of no interest to publishers) decided to organize several financial projects not related to literary work. But all attempts to get rich turned out to be just another debt for him.
Honore de Balzac: works that changed his whole life
In 1829, Balzac returned to writing. He established for himself a truly “army” regime: he slept in the evenings, and woke up around midnight, took up his pen again, supporting himself with the help of numerous cups of strong black coffee. Balzac worked at an incredible speed - in a day he could write a few goose feathers.
After the publication of the book “Shuans”, Honore de Balzac finally received well-deserved attention, his works began to be published. Hard labor was rewarded, and after the release of the novel "Shagreen Skin", the young writer began to be called a fashion writer. Inspired by success, he decided to create the epic Human Comedy. But this plan was not destined to be fully realized - Balzac managed to write only about a hundred books. Before the eyes of the reader, the whole life of the heroes was presented: their birth, growing up, love, marriage and children. The publication of the novel from the series "Human Comedy" brought the writer the much-sought after glory of the unsurpassed novelist.
The Great Honore de Balzac: works (list of earlier works)
After the release of the following works, the writer finally forms his life and creative position:
- the novel "Shuans", followed by collections of scenes from private life (1830);
- short story "Gobsec";
- "The house of a cat playing ball";
- "Shagreen skin" (the work brought the writer tremendous success).
Despite the constant attacks of critics, Balzac continues to work. After some time, he has the idea to combine all existing and future books into an epic. Thus began the "Human Comedy". According to the plan of the author, widely known throughout the world (everyone had his name on his lips - Honore de Balzac), the works that will be included in the epic should describe the whole society, all its classes, ages, that is, to create a picture of the morals of its time. Some novels included in the epic "Human Comedy":
- "Lost illusions";
- "Elixir of longevity";
- "Spinster";
- "Physiology of marriage" and others.
Before his death, Balzac, exhausted by terrible pains, asked to bring a doctor, Bianchon, the hero of one of his books. Thus, at the end of his life, the writer was completely immersed in a world invented by himself.