I've recently finished Crime and Punishment, and I read Pere Goriot before, it's a great novel. Interesting how Balzac influenced doestoesky. They emphasise social class and human nature in similar ways.
You sold me on this book from the very first seconds with that Pink Floyd track :D This does sound great, especially the Parisian high society aspect. I've also been meaning to read Lost Illusions by him.
Yes, this book has totally sparked my interest in French literature! I'm thinking about trying the Rougons-Macquart series for Zola sometime soon, but not sure yet which one to start out with!
I just watched a Great Course lecture about this book and the professor talked about a theory of one scene that I didn't even consider. While Goriot is dying the narrator states that he became confused and thought his daughters were in the room. He touches the boys shoulders and calls them his angels. The professor pointed out that that was the narrators interpretation of what had happened. In those final moments he speculates that those caring for him became his family and he knew who he was talking to. A point at the end could be alluding to the opinion that you can create your own family.
@@bigalbooksforever It was apart of the Classic Novels: Meeting the Challenge of Great Literature course. It was on sale recently so I took the plunge.
My husband is a big Balzac fan, but the conduct of the characters in this one frustrated him so much he literally threw the book against the wall when he finished it. Of course, my curiosity was piqued! So I proposed we listen to the audiobook together on a recent family road trip--it did not disappoint! This review perfectly and succinctly captured all of the things I found so fascinating about the novel, particularly your mixed feelings toward Goriot who, on the one hand, gets this ultra-prolonged death scene which seems engineered to spike readers' sympathy for him and, on the other hand, is so grotesquely obsessed with his daughters as to appear completely deranged. I feel like there's a kernel of critique here toward patriarchal "generosity" which, even in its purest, most apparently selfless form, still desperately longs for doting daughters to come and pay it tribute. That ending line, too! How is Rastignac renewing his relationship with Mme. de Nucingen supposed to lead to the overthrow of society? That's either some next-level scheming or utter delusion. What a cliffhanger! Makes me curious to check out some of the other Balzac novels he's featured in to see if he ever follows through on that challenge. Thanks, Alex, for the awesome analysis!
That's great how you and your husband had different reactions to the book! I agree with your point--- there's something fascinating about how generosity becomes warped when a person gives so much and yet has certain expectations in return. As for the ending, yeah, it seems like there is no way that Rastignac could ever live up to his ambitions! :')
Read this as my first Balzac recently. I was reading it and told my brother “dude this guy reminds me of Dostoevsky” and didn’t even know Dostoevsky was influenced by him. What praise. Balzac is fucking legendary. Read Les Mis, Hugo and Maupassant recently also, and gotta say Balzac and Hugo stand out amongst the greats.
Hey! I'm french and I've read le père Goriot recently, if you liked Balzac's descriptions, you'll looove Emile Zola, my favorite author ever😘 His descriptions are like...amazing. It sounds sooo poetic😘 Good video😊
bigalbooks My favorite one is "La bête humaine" but you can also start with "Au bonheur des dames" or "L'assomoir"! "La bête humaine" and "L'assomoir" are more "social", in the first one, the main character will face his murderous pulsions and in the second, you'll see the devasting effects of alcohol on a poor woman and her descent into hell..Both are really interesting! "Au bonheur des dames" is more a "pictural" one, with such beautiful descriptions of the shops in the 19th century! I hope my little speech was clear enough😅😂 sorry for the mistakes! I hope it helped! Have a great day😘
Canada actually! It's not that he's complete unknown here... just that's he not one of the more popular classic authors. Such a shame-- I wish I had read him much sooner in my life!
I read this around the time I went to college. It's a book that I loved and would love to read again. Balzac created this huge universe in his books. Vautran, who is actually considered the first gay character in literature, is in some of his other books. I think being gay in that society would make you feel like a outcast.
I'd love to read more about Vautrin! I suppose that I take it for granted that it is normal to have LGBTQ characters in novels, but yeah, at the time an openly gay character would be a pretty big deal. Good thing there are so many more Human Comedy books to dive into next
I have read it probably 4 times - twice out loud. It's my very favorite novel. Congratulations on getting through Buddenbrooks - I couldn't quite make it through.
I'm trying not to buy books this month... but I feel like I need a copy of that ASAP! And yeah, Buddenbrooks gets dry in a few parts. It has an abrupt ending, but I enjoyed it!
I didn't know that Flaubert thought Balzac couldn't write. People say the same thing about Dostoevsky ('better artist than writer') but I've never understood the criticism.
I think the authors who complain about those two are more focused on achieving a sophisticated prose style. But it's tough to beat Balzac and Dostoevsky in terms of passion and character!
the book also mentions about modernity in a sense that the book contains so much money relations. in other words, in modern times you cannot accomplish everything. you need money and money is the only valid way to do things.
I have a doubt about Eugene at the end of the book. Was he as corrupt as Parisien society? Did he get over all of bad stuff Delphine had done to her father? Was he ready to forget all that just to be part of rich aristocratic society? Or maybe with that in mind he wanted to exploit corruption of the society for his own benefit?
That's a great question-- I like when books have ambiguous outcomes! It seems like it would be almost impossible to get out of his situation unscathed. In that case, is he declaring war on a part of himself?
I pressed like on this vid after that brilliant and honest intro about balzav preonceptions and how fun a read it is surprisingly... Then the creepy stuff started to annoyu me...then after 4.00 i had unpress like and press dislike ''you dont read this and think 'iwish i had a dad...like that' I'm sorry but this shows you are lucky enough to have a decent father- as UNHEALTHY, dysfunvtional and potentially destruvtive Goriots feelings for his ki9ds are and his actions...I would take having a father actually capable of love and who exhibits it to a fault like Goriot than what i and many have. And the 'creepy'stuff is unfair- it is written and about a time where women were hugely objectified and prized like jewels & add to that he is not only living viariously through them but clearly his wife died when they were young thus clearly muh of his love for his wife is also displaced onto them
Loved the video! Though my arm was hurting by watching you hold that book up for 10min haha
Just read this and loved it as well
One of the best iniciation to the "La Comedie Humaine" of Balzac.
Great review, I love your enthusiasm for this book and you highlighted several interesting interesting details, as well as key themes. Thank you.
Thanks! I'm glad you enjoyed this review (and hopefully the book as well!) :)
I've recently finished Crime and Punishment, and I read Pere Goriot before, it's a great novel. Interesting how Balzac influenced doestoesky. They emphasise social class and human nature in similar ways.
You sold me on this book from the very first seconds with that Pink Floyd track :D This does sound great, especially the Parisian high society aspect. I've also been meaning to read Lost Illusions by him.
That one sounds good! Good thing he has so many books... it can keep me busy for a lifetime
You are so cool and witty. Love this review!
Ahhh I need to read this now! I want to read more French classics. I'm thinking of delving into Zola and Balzac. Great review :)
Yes, this book has totally sparked my interest in French literature! I'm thinking about trying the Rougons-Macquart series for Zola sometime soon, but not sure yet which one to start out with!
Awesome
Loved this book. Plan on reading more from this author.
Why, are you holding the book up the whole time hahaha? Is that to get the thumbnail?
because its hard to put down...
I just watched a Great Course lecture about this book and the professor talked about a theory of one scene that I didn't even consider. While Goriot is dying the narrator states that he became confused and thought his daughters were in the room. He touches the boys shoulders and calls them his angels. The professor pointed out that that was the narrators interpretation of what had happened. In those final moments he speculates that those caring for him became his family and he knew who he was talking to. A point at the end could be alluding to the opinion that you can create your own family.
That is an interesting interpretation of that scene! I'd love to hear that lecture!
@@bigalbooksforever It was apart of the Classic Novels: Meeting the Challenge of Great Literature course. It was on sale recently so I took the plunge.
@@kaylacurrently sounds like a cool course! Thanks for sharing the title!
My husband is a big Balzac fan, but the conduct of the characters in this one frustrated him so much he literally threw the book against the wall when he finished it. Of course, my curiosity was piqued! So I proposed we listen to the audiobook together on a recent family road trip--it did not disappoint!
This review perfectly and succinctly captured all of the things I found so fascinating about the novel, particularly your mixed feelings toward Goriot who, on the one hand, gets this ultra-prolonged death scene which seems engineered to spike readers' sympathy for him and, on the other hand, is so grotesquely obsessed with his daughters as to appear completely deranged. I feel like there's a kernel of critique here toward patriarchal "generosity" which, even in its purest, most apparently selfless form, still desperately longs for doting daughters to come and pay it tribute.
That ending line, too! How is Rastignac renewing his relationship with Mme. de Nucingen supposed to lead to the overthrow of society? That's either some next-level scheming or utter delusion. What a cliffhanger! Makes me curious to check out some of the other Balzac novels he's featured in to see if he ever follows through on that challenge.
Thanks, Alex, for the awesome analysis!
That's great how you and your husband had different reactions to the book! I agree with your point--- there's something fascinating about how generosity becomes warped when a person gives so much and yet has certain expectations in return. As for the ending, yeah, it seems like there is no way that Rastignac could ever live up to his ambitions! :')
Hey what are your top 5 favorite books. I want to read them
You are real smart. Thanks.
Read this as my first Balzac recently. I was reading it and told my brother “dude this guy reminds me of Dostoevsky” and didn’t even know Dostoevsky was influenced by him. What praise. Balzac is fucking legendary. Read Les Mis, Hugo and Maupassant recently also, and gotta say Balzac and Hugo stand out amongst the greats.
You made me wanna read this after watching like the first 60 seconds of hearing you talk about it!
Haha yes more people need to read Balzac! I just checked out your channel btw and really enjoyed your music-- you have an awesome voice!
bigalbooks Well I will definitely be picking this up! And thank you so much! That really means a lot! 🤗
Welcome to French literature. Great review.
Thank you-- I am looking forward to reading more!
My fav book
Hey! I'm french and I've read le père Goriot recently, if you liked Balzac's descriptions, you'll looove Emile Zola, my favorite author ever😘 His descriptions are like...amazing. It sounds sooo poetic😘 Good video😊
That is great to hear! I have a few of his books but haven't read anything yet. Any good places to start?
bigalbooks My favorite one is "La bête humaine" but you can also start with "Au bonheur des dames" or "L'assomoir"! "La bête humaine" and "L'assomoir" are more "social", in the first one, the main character will face his murderous pulsions and in the second, you'll see the devasting effects of alcohol on a poor woman and her descent into hell..Both are really interesting! "Au bonheur des dames" is more a "pictural" one, with such beautiful descriptions of the shops in the 19th century!
I hope my little speech was clear enough😅😂 sorry for the mistakes! I hope it helped! Have a great day😘
You rock thanks!
You hears of Hugo only because of films, musical etc. You live in the USA? That is pribablt why you did not know Balzac
I'm in Canada! Even though we have a lot of French speakers here, Balzac doesn't seem to be as well known... which is a shame!
@@bigalbooksforever Balzac was and he still is one of the greatest writer of the french litterature
My ears are burning because she had the nerve to say that Balzac isn’t known. Girl, really? Damn you USA
Canada actually! It's not that he's complete unknown here... just that's he not one of the more popular classic authors. Such a shame-- I wish I had read him much sooner in my life!
Merci
Great review! I hope to read Cousin Belle by de Balzac later this year 😊
Yes that one will probably be my next Balzac as well!
Rastignac was a law student
I read this around the time I went to college. It's a book that I loved and would love to read again. Balzac created this huge universe in his books. Vautran, who is actually considered the first gay character in literature, is in some of his other books. I think being gay in that society would make you feel like a outcast.
I'd love to read more about Vautrin! I suppose that I take it for granted that it is normal to have LGBTQ characters in novels, but yeah, at the time an openly gay character would be a pretty big deal. Good thing there are so many more Human Comedy books to dive into next
Very sweet review - I want to hear your thoughts on Cousin Bette when you get around to it.
I am looking forward to that one. Sounds like the drama will be just as juicy!
I have read it probably 4 times - twice out loud. It's my very favorite novel. Congratulations on getting through Buddenbrooks - I couldn't quite make it through.
I'm trying not to buy books this month... but I feel like I need a copy of that ASAP! And yeah, Buddenbrooks gets dry in a few parts. It has an abrupt ending, but I enjoyed it!
Pablo Escobalzac
love you haha
I'm actually working on this book as an assignment i'm not done yet thou but so far so good , Great video!
Thanks! So cool you get to study this book! :)
I didn't know that Flaubert thought Balzac couldn't write. People say the same thing about Dostoevsky ('better artist than writer') but I've never understood the criticism.
I think the authors who complain about those two are more focused on achieving a sophisticated prose style. But it's tough to beat Balzac and Dostoevsky in terms of passion and character!
Nabokov also said Balzac and Dostoevsky couldn't write!
the book also mentions about modernity in a sense that the book contains so much money relations. in other words, in modern times you cannot accomplish everything. you need money and money is the only valid way to do things.
Rastignac studied law, not medicine
I have a doubt about Eugene at the end of the book.
Was he as corrupt as Parisien society? Did he get over all of bad stuff Delphine had done to her father? Was he ready to forget all that just to be part of rich aristocratic society?
Or maybe with that in mind he wanted to exploit corruption of the society for his own benefit?
That's a great question-- I like when books have ambiguous outcomes! It seems like it would be almost impossible to get out of his situation unscathed. In that case, is he declaring war on a part of himself?
Pink Floyd 😬😁👍🏼
I couldn't resist!
I pressed like on this vid after that brilliant and honest intro about balzav preonceptions and how fun a read it is surprisingly...
Then the creepy stuff started to annoyu me...then after 4.00 i had unpress like and press dislike ''you dont read this and think 'iwish i had a dad...like that'
I'm sorry but this shows you are lucky enough to have a decent father- as UNHEALTHY, dysfunvtional and potentially destruvtive Goriots feelings for his ki9ds are and his actions...I would take having a father actually capable of love and who exhibits it to a fault like Goriot than what i and many have.
And the 'creepy'stuff is unfair- it is written and about a time where women were hugely objectified and prized like jewels & add to that he is not only living viariously through them but clearly his wife died when they were young thus clearly muh of his love for his wife is also displaced onto them
de ballsack
This is the second Ive heard you talk on this Balzac novel and how much you liked it. TBR list for me, thx!
I'm surprised more people don't talk about this classic... it is excellent!