{"product_id":"lost-illusions-paperback-1","title":"Lost Illusions - Paperback","description":"\u003cp\u003eby \u003cb\u003eHonor de Balzac\u003c\/b\u003e (Author), \u003cb\u003eKathleen Raine\u003c\/b\u003e (Translator), \u003cb\u003eRichard Howard\u003c\/b\u003e (Introduction by)\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\"Balzac  was] the master unequalled in the art of painting humanity as it exists in modern society,\" wrote George Sand. \"He searched and dared everything.\" \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eWritten between 1837 and 1843, \u003cb\u003eLost Illusions\u003c\/b\u003e reveals, perhaps better than any other of Balzac's ninety-two novels, the nature and scope of his genius. The story of Lucien Chardon, a young poet from Angoul me who tries desperately to make a name for himself in Paris, is a brilliantly realistic and boldly satirical portrait of provincial manners and aristocratic life. Handsome and ambitious but na ve, Lucien is patronized by the beau monde as represented by Madame de Bargeton and her cousin, the formidable Marquise d'Espard, only to be duped by them. Denied the social rank he thought would be his, Lucien discards his poetic aspirations and turns to hack journalism; his descent into Parisian low life ultimately leads to his own death. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\"Balzac was both a greedy child and an indefatigable observer of a greedy age, at once a fantastic and a genius, yet possessing a simple core of common sense,\" noted V. S. Pritchett, one of his several biographers. Another, Andr  Maurois, concluded: \"Balzac was by turns a saint, a criminal, an honest judge, a corrupt judge, a minister, a fob, a harlot, a duchess, and always a genius.\" \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eThis Modern Library edition presents the translation by Kathleen Raine.\u003ch3\u003eFront Jacket\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eBalzac [was] the master unequalled in the art of painting humanity as it exists in modern society, wrote George Sand. \"He searched and dared everything.\" \u003cbr\u003eWritten between 1837 and 1843, Lost Illusions reveals, perhaps better than any other of Balzac's ninety-two novels, the nature and scope of his genius. The story of Lucien Chardon, a young poet from Angouleme who tries desperately to make a name for himself in Paris, is a brilliantly realistic and boldly satirical portrait of provincial manners and aristocratic life. Handsome and ambitious but naive, Lucien is patronized by the beau monde as represented by Madame de Bargeton and her cousin, the formidable Marquise d'Espard, only to be duped by them. Denied the social rank he thought would be his, Lucien discards his poetic aspirations and turns to hack journalism; his descent into Parisian low life ultimately leads to his own death. \u003cbr\u003e\"Balzac was both a greedy child and an indefatigable observer of a greedy age, at once a fantastic and a genius, yet possessing a simple core of common sense,\" noted V. S. Pritchett, one of his several biographers. Another, Andre Maurois, concluded: \"Balzac was by turns a saint, a criminal, an honest judge, a corrupt judge, a minister, a fob, a harlot, a duchess, and always a genius.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eAuthor Biography\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eRichard Howard is a Pultizer-Prize winning poet and translator. He has translated Baudelaire, Stendhal, and Gide, among others. He lives in New York City and teaches at Columbia University.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNumber of Pages:\u003c\/strong\u003e 752\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions:\u003c\/strong\u003e 1.1 x 8.01 x 5.19 IN\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePublication Date:\u003c\/strong\u003e November 13, 2001\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Books by splitShops","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":42694633717823,"sku":"9780375757907","price":21.6,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0105\/8226\/1823\/files\/a57cb6c8c8c52d240a9526e9833fd114.webp?v=1765001759","url":"https:\/\/dhlswag.com\/products\/lost-illusions-paperback-1","provider":"BBB","version":"1.0","type":"link"}