Status
Available
Call number
Series
Genres
Publication
GALLIMARD (ÉDITIONS) (2008), Mass Market Paperback
Description
Classic Literature. Fiction. HTML: Brothers Philippe and Joseph Bridau couldn't be more different. One is a cruel man who puts his ruthlessness to good use in a military career, while the other is a kind-hearted, sensitive soul who grows up to be a penniless artist. When the family's fortune is at risk, the two diametrically opposed siblings wage an all-out war..
User reviews
LibraryThing member Stbalbach
Although full of action and entertaining, "The Black Sheep" is something more. This is a story of two brothers and a mother, very similar to my own family situation, and apparently like Balzac's home life as well - speaking from personal experience, the novel has a good deal of verisimilitude: the
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competition for the affection of the mother, the changing fortunes of the brothers - one plodding slowly along, the other a bright but erratic star - the physical prowess and weakness of each - these are not just fictional devices. Balzac speaks broadly to the reality of life, all the while set in the delightful atmosphere of early 19th century France, it really is a treat. Show Less
LibraryThing member stephenmurphy
Rip-roaring and full of sex. Fab.
LibraryThing member Erratic_Charmer
[The Black Sheep] tells the story of two brothers living in Paris at the beginning of the 19th century, at the end of the Napoleonic wars. One, Joseph, is a gifted painter of good heart and upright character. The other, Phillipe, is a one-time soldier and all-around scoundrel. It is Phillipe who is
Treachery and double-crossing abound in this novel, and there is an exciting duel at the end as well. Villainy ultimately meets with vengeance, but virtue is by no means always rewarded. Balzac is not entirely cynical but he does paint a cruel picture of a world dominated by greed and social schemers.
This is the first book I’ve ever read by Balzac. I enjoyed it although it was a tiny bit heavy-going at times and felt very much like a period novel. According to the introduction, Balzac considered himself at least as much a historian as a novelist, and though the action moves along rapidly the author provides exhaustive details about battles and Bourbons, geography of the provinces, and, most of all, financial arrangements from the Parisian lottery to the fine points of inheritance law. Expect to see an awful lot of calculations in francs. This will appeal most to readers interested in the historical setting of post-Napoleonic France.
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the mother Agathe’s favourite, however, despite his drinking and gambling habits dragging his family into ruin. Phillipe’s depredations are the subject of the first part of the book; in the second part Joseph and his mother leave Paris for the small town of Issoudun in an attempt to claim the inheritance that rightfully belongs to Agathe, but which her brother is in danger of leaving to his housekeeper-mistress Flore and her lover Max, another thoroughly rotten character. Joseph and Agathe prove too naïve and straightforward to contend with the machinations of Flore and Max, but when Phillipe appears, Max may have finally met his match…Treachery and double-crossing abound in this novel, and there is an exciting duel at the end as well. Villainy ultimately meets with vengeance, but virtue is by no means always rewarded. Balzac is not entirely cynical but he does paint a cruel picture of a world dominated by greed and social schemers.
This is the first book I’ve ever read by Balzac. I enjoyed it although it was a tiny bit heavy-going at times and felt very much like a period novel. According to the introduction, Balzac considered himself at least as much a historian as a novelist, and though the action moves along rapidly the author provides exhaustive details about battles and Bourbons, geography of the provinces, and, most of all, financial arrangements from the Parisian lottery to the fine points of inheritance law. Expect to see an awful lot of calculations in francs. This will appeal most to readers interested in the historical setting of post-Napoleonic France.
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LibraryThing member stillatim
It's Balzac, and it's reasonably short, so you know it's pretty powerful. The only interesting thing I have to say about this is stolen from the introduction to the Penguin edition; the translator points out that in this book, unlike many of Balzac's writing, the historical asides are actually
On the other hand, not sure it's one of the greatest novels of all time, as some poll or other suggested.
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relevant and important for the plot, so it's far more unified than the others. Great point. Also, Balzac got the whole 'show you someone who's horrible, then show you someone even worse so that you'll sympathize with the horrible shit' move down pat. George Martin's an amateur by comparison. On the other hand, not sure it's one of the greatest novels of all time, as some poll or other suggested.
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LibraryThing member starbox
A typical- and utterly gripping- Balzac tale of greed and self-sacrifice, fiendish plots and unrewarded virtue.
Mme Bridau is a widowed mother of two. Handsome charmer Philippe has her heart, but his younger artist brother Joseph is the ever-unappreciated hero. There is much family history and many
One of my favourite authors.
Mme Bridau is a widowed mother of two. Handsome charmer Philippe has her heart, but his younger artist brother Joseph is the ever-unappreciated hero. There is much family history and many
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machinations, but as wastrel Philippe brings his doting mother to penury, she and Joseph are forced to seek the assistance of wealthy Uncle Rouget. And here a second strand comes into play: poor, timorous Uncle is enamoured of an unscrupulous housekeeper. And she, in turn, is being seduced by local "gang leader" Maxence, who has plans for appropriating Uncle's money...One of my favourite authors.
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LibraryThing member lschiff
Enjoyable read, not one of his best, but an average Balzac is so much better than most.
Language
Original publication date
1842
Physical description
6.9 inches
ISBN
2070357368 / 9782070357369