One of the greatest prose writers of the 19th century is O. de Balzac. The biography of this writer is in no way inferior to the turbulent adventures of the characters he created. Until now, the world is interested in his personal life.
Bitter childhood
The founder of realism was born on May 20, 1799, in the city of Tours, which is located in the center of France. The prose writer came from a simple but enterprising family. Father, a local lawyer, Bernard Francois Balssa bought and resold the lands of devastated nobles. Such a business brought him profit. This was the reason that he changed his surname and boasted of his kinship with the popular writer Jean-Louis Gez de Balzac, to whom he had nothing to do.
Subsequently, he acquired the noble prefix "de". Bernard married a girl, Anne-Charlotte-Laura Salambier, who was 30 years younger than him. Mother Honore comes from an aristocratic family. The woman was freedom-loving and did not hide her novels. From the connections on the side appeared the brother of the writer, who was Anna's favorite. And the future writer was given a nurse. After he lived in a boarding house.
In a house where everything except family was put in the first place, the boy was not easy. Honore de Balzac received little attention in childhood. The biography is briefly described in some of his works. The problems that he experienced when he was little were later present in his works.
Failed lawyer
Apparently, the genius inherited the main features of his parents, since in the future they were clearly expressed in his character. At the request of the father and mother, the son was sent to Vendome College, where he studied law. The institution was distinguished by severe discipline, which the boy constantly broke. For this he earned a reputation as a loafer and a robber. There, the child discovered the world of the book. At the age of 12, he first tried himself as a writer. Then all his classmates scoffed at his works.
Due to constant stress and lack of attention, the child fell ill. Parents took him home. The guy was ill for several years. Many doctors did not guarantee that the child would live. Nevertheless, he climbed out.
The young man continued to study the case of a lawyer in Paris, where his parents moved. He studies at the law school in 1816 - 1819. At the same time works as a notary. But only the world of literature really attracted him. Balzac was reaching out to him. The biography could have turned out differently, but the parents decided to support his son's passion and give him a chance.
First love
Father promised for two years to support Honore. During this time, the young man had to prove that he could work in the chosen direction. During this time, future talent worked actively, but not one of his works was taken seriously. The first tragedy of Cromwell was ruthlessly condemned. In general, until 1823 he wrote about 20 volumes. Later, the writer himself called his early works a sheer mistake.
From time to time, the young man traveled from Paris to the province where his parents moved. There he met Laura de Burnie. His biography closely intertwined with this woman. Balzac Honore, who received a minimum of maternal affection, found in the arms of Madame (20 years older than him) warmth and tenderness. Unhappy in family life, with six children in her arms, she became his love and support.
When the deadline came to report to his family for the two years that they financed his hobby, Balzak had nothing to provide. All attempts to break into the world of words have failed. Therefore, the family refused him money.
Entrepreneur's vein
From childhood, the master of the word dreamed indecently get rich. While the literature did not work out, the prose writer tried to make money. First, he issues single-volume editions of classics. Also organizes a publishing house. Then he goes to Sardinia to find the silver of the ancient Romans in the mines. Another plan that has not paid off is growing pineapples near Paris. Balzac's biography is full of complex and fantastic business schemes. You can briefly describe all of his ideas in one word - a fiasco.
Due to failures, already large debts have grown even more. From prison for bills he was saved by his mother, who partially repaid the loans.
For a long time, genius has been plagued by poverty. So, one night a thief climbed into his simple apartment. He groped for what he could steal. The landlord, who was in the room at that time, was not at a loss and said: "In vain you are looking in the dark for something that I do not even see in the light."
Way to success
Humility was not one of the virtues Honore de Balzac had. The biography of the writer would not have caused so many emotions, if not for his unwavering faith in his fate. The master continued to work, no matter what.
In 1829, the prose writer again took up the pen. He made a tight schedule for himself. I went to bed at 6 pm, woke up at midnight. I wrote all the time. Dozens of pages came out from under his hand. He supported the strength in himself with numerous cups of strong coffee.
The efforts were crowned with success. Fame brought him the historical novel "Shuany." The world did not yet know who Balzac was. The author's biography notes that so far he has used various pseudonyms.
The actions in this book take place during the French Revolution. Here, a talented author skillfully described the struggle of the Republican forces with the Shuans.
Then he creates "Scenes of Private Life", "Elixir of Longevity", the story "Gobshek."
The foundation of the main work
On the wings of success, the master decides in 1831 to create a series of novels. It should have been a description of morality of the time. The name is "Human Comedy." Work began with scenes from the life of Paris of the 18th-19th centuries.
The name Honore de Balzac opened many doors. The biography of a man after lightning popularity has acquired new colors. In the most fashionable salons he was accepted as a respected guest. There, the author met many of the heroes of his future works, which were included in The Human Comedy. The purpose of the work was to combine all of his written work in one cycle. He took all the previously published novels and partially changed them. The heroes of various books acquired family, friendship, and other ties among themselves. The epic was to consist of 143 novels. But the Frenchman failed to bring the plan to the end.
The highlight was the author’s unusual approach to the fate of his characters, because they were born, grew up, fell in love, got married and raised children on the pages of volumes.
Comedy theory
"The unsurpassed novelist" - that is what name Balzac received from critics. The biography of the writer is forever connected with "Human Comedy". It consists of three parts. The first and broadest, which included previous works - "Studies on mores." Then the audience meets with the hunks Gobsec, the unselfish father of Gorio, the French officer Chabert. The second section is “Philosophical”. It helps the reader to reason about the meaning of life. This included the novel "Shagreen Skin." The third part is “Analytical Studies”. The books in this fragment are highlighted by excessive reflection, and sometimes put the plot in the background.
The biography of Balzac is full of funny situations. Creativity was profitable, but did not cover all expenses and past debts. There is a story that the author went to his editor weekly to ask for an advance on future fees. The boss was stingy, so he rarely gave out money. Once the writer, as always, came for payment, but the secretary said that today the owner does not accept. To which Balzac replied that he was indifferent, the main thing is that the leader give money.
Women of Balzac age
The unattractive-looking Honore nevertheless conquered many ladies. They were struck by the fuse and passion with which the prose writer spoke. Therefore, the man spent all his free time from writing with numerous lovers. His attention was sought by many noble ladies, but often in vain. Women of "elegant" age loved Balzac. The biography of the writer is full of romantic adventures. Ladies, who are well over 30, became their heroines. He described such persons in his works.
The most popular was the character of the novel "Thirty Years Woman." The main figure is Julie's girl. Through this image, the author clearly conveys the psychology of the fair sex. It is because of this work that the expression "a woman of Balzac age" was born, that is, a lady from 30 to 40 years old.
A dream come true
Love plays a big role in human life. The Polish Countess Evelina Ganskaya became the greatest passion that Honore de Balzac had ever felt. The biography briefly describes their acquaintance. The woman, like hundreds of other fans, sent the writer recognition. The man answered. Correspondence has begun. For a long time they met secretly.
Evelina refused to leave her husband and marry a prose writer. Relations lasted for 17 years. She became free when she was widowed. Then the couple got married. This happened in May 1850, in the Ukrainian city of Berdichev. But Balzac did not have time to enjoy married life. He was seriously ill for a long time and died the same year on August 18, in Paris.
The master crowded out each of his heroes. He was not afraid to make their life not only vibrant, but also realistic. That is why Balzac's characters are still interesting to the reader.