The Lily of the Valley by Honoré de Balzac

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About this eBook

Author Balzac, Honoré de, 1799-1850
Translator Wormeley, Katharine Prescott, 1830-1908
Uniform Title Le lys dans la vallée. English
Title The Lily of the Valley
Credits Produced by John Bickers, and Dagny, and David Widger
Summary "The Lily of the Valley" by Honoré de Balzac is a novel written during the early 19th century. The story centers around the character Felix de Vandenesse, who reflects on his tumultuous childhood and his complex feelings regarding love, particularly for the beautiful Madame de Mortsauf, who becomes the focus of his emotional struggles. The narrative explores themes of unrequited love, social class, and the impact of familial relationships on one's life. At the start of the novel, the dedication implies a deep personal connection between the author and a doctor, indicating the emotional weight carried within the text. The opening describes Felix's sorrowful childhood, marked by neglect from his family and the harshness of his upbringing, which breeds a sense of isolation and longing. As he recounts his early memories filled with cruelty from his siblings and emotional detachment from his mother, he also hints at the development of his internal strength and moral resistance. This sets the stage for his later romantic endeavors and the profound impact that his first love will have on his life. The initial focus on Felix’s painful past serves as a foundation for understanding his character and the complex emotions he will navigate in his interactions with Madame de Mortsauf. (This is an automatically generated summary.)
Language English
LoC Class PQ: Language and Literatures: Romance literatures: French, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese
Subject Historical fiction
Subject Biographical fiction
Subject Love stories
Subject France -- Fiction
Subject Man-woman relationships -- Fiction
Subject French fiction -- Translations into English
Subject Letters -- Fiction
Subject Romance fiction
Category Text
EBook-No. 1569
Release Date
Most Recently Updated Jan 27, 2021
Copyright Status Public domain in the USA.
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