Written in 1846 at the height of Balzac's powers, this novel portrays the stunningly malevolent Cousin Bette and her intricate plans for revenge against the wealthy relatives on whom she depends and whose condescension she bitterly resents. As Bette's insidious deceit relentlessly unravels the lives of the obsessive womanizer Baron Hulot and his angelic wife, Adeline, Balzac displays a sense of verbal comedy as acute as Dickens's and creates a world that is vivid and densely real. Henry James considered him the greatest of all novelists; in Cousin Bette Balzac gives ample proof of his genius.

Enter the intricate world of Parisian society with "Cousin Betty" by Honoré de Balzac. This gripping novel unveils the dark undercurrents of ambition, jealousy, and betrayal as it explores the life of the enigmatic Lisbeth Fischer. As Balzac weaves his tale, you'll witness Lisbeth's transformation from a devoted cousin to a master manipulator in her quest for vengeance. What drives a person to the brink of moral decay? Can the desire for revenge ever truly satisfy the heart? But here’s a provocative thought: In a society obsessed with wealth and status, what lengths will individuals go to reclaim their power and agency? Engage with Balzac’s rich narrative, filled with vivid characters and sharp social commentary. Each twist and turn in the plot reveals the complexities of human nature and the consequences of unchecked ambition, inviting you to reflect on your own values and aspirations. Are you prepared to delve into the dark side of familial ties and societal expectations? Experience the depth of Balzac’s storytelling through short, impactful paragraphs that linger in your mind long after reading. This novel is not just a tale of revenge; it’s a profound exploration of the human condition and the societal constructs that bind us. This is your opportunity to uncover the hidden truths of ambition and loyalty. Will you let "Cousin Betty" challenge your perceptions of family and power? Don’t miss your chance to own this classic masterpiece. Purchase "Cousin Betty" now and embark on a captivating journey through the complexities of love, envy, and ambition!

Honoré de Balzac (20 May 1799 - 18 August 1850) was a French novelist and playwright best known for a sequence of short stories and novels collectively entitled La Comédie humaine, which presents a panorama of French life in the years after the 1815 fall of Napoleon. Due to his keen observation of detail and unfiltered representation of society, Balzac is regarded as one of the founders of realism in European literature. He is renowned for his multi-faceted characters, who are complex, morally ambiguous and fully human. His writing influenced many subsequent novelists such as Charles Dickens, Edgar Allan Poe, Fyodor Dostoyevsky, Gustave Flaubert, Henry James, and William Faulkner. Many of Balzac's works have been made into or have inspired films, and they are a continuing source of inspiration for writers, filmmakers and critics. Cousin Bette is one of Balzac's most famous works. Set in 19th century Paris, it's a novel about a woman who wants to destroy her extended family, much of which is accomplished through seduction.

Cousin Betty Volume 1 By Honoré de Balzac Written in 1846 at the height of Balzac's powers, this novel portrays the stunningly malevolent Cousin Bette and her intricate plans for revenge against the wealthy relatives on whom she depends and whose condescension she bitterly resents. As Bette's insidious deceit relentlessly unravels the lives of the obsessive womanizer Baron Hulot and his angelic wife, Adeline, Balzac displays a sense of verbal comedy as acute as Dickens's and creates a world that is vivid and densely real. Henry James considered him the greatest of all novelists; in Cousin Bette Balzac gives ample proof of his genius. Fox Searchlight's film adaptation, starring Jessica Lange and Elizabeth Shue, will be in theaters in June 1998. We are delighted to publish this classic book as part of our extensive Classic Library collection. Many of the books in our collection have been out of print for decades, and therefore have not been accessible to the general public. The aim of our publishing program is to facilitate rapid access to this vast reservoir of literature, and our view is that this is a significant literary work, which deserves to be brought back into print after many decades. The contents of the vast majority of titles in the Classic Library have been scanned from the original works. To ensure a high quality product, each title has been meticulously hand curated by our staff. Our philosophy has been guided by a desire to provide the reader with a book that is as close as possible to ownership of the original work. We hope that you will enjoy this wonderful classic work, and that for you it becomes an enriching experience.

Reproduction of the original: Cousin Betty by Honore de Balzac