Cousin Betty by Honoré de Balzac is a captivating tale of betrayal, jealousy, and manipulation within high society in 19th-century France. The story follows the lives of the Hulot family, focusing on the cunning and vindictive character of Cousin Betty.

Balzac’s writing style is rich and detailed, painting a vivid picture of Parisian society and its complex relationships. The characters are well-developed and multi-dimensional, each with their own motivations and desires. Cousin Betty herself is a fascinating character, whose scheming and manipulative nature drives the plot forward.

The novel explores themes of greed, ambition, and the destructive power of jealousy. It is a compelling read that keeps the reader engaged from start to finish. Balzac’s keen observations of human nature and society bring depth and richness to the story, making it a timeless classic.

Overall, Cousin Betty is a gripping and thought-provoking novel that delves into the darker aspects of human nature. Balzac’s masterful storytelling and vivid prose make it a must-read for fans of classic literature.

Book Description:
Cousin Betty (La Cousine Bette), published in serial format in 1846, was one of the last and greatest of Balzac's works. It was part of his long novel collection titled La Comédie Humaine. Set in mid-19th-century France, it tells the story of a woman who resents her position as a "poor relation." As we follow her schemes to bring ruin upon the more privileged members of her family, we see a society in transition. The stability and idealism of the old order give way to a new bourgeois world in which virtue is strangled in the struggle for power and money. In this novel, Balzac searchingly probes the psychology and motivations of his characters: his work influenced the development of literary realism, as practised by writers such as Dickens, Dostoyevsky, Flaubert, Proust, and Henry James.