Honore de Balzac By: Albert Keim (1876-1947)
Honore de Balzac by Albert Keim is an insightful biographical work that delves into the life and writings of the renowned French novelist. As one of the most influential figures in French literature, Balzac's contributions to the literary world are examined with keen attention to detail in this book. Keim's meticulous research and extensive knowledge of Balzac's life are evident throughout the narrative, creating a comprehensive and engaging account. The author explores Balzac's upbringing, his struggles as a writer, and the fascinating anecdotes that shaped his artistic journey. Keim successfully portrays Balzac as a complex and multifaceted individual, capturing both his strengths and weaknesses, allowing readers to truly understand the man behind the words. The book not only focuses on Balzac's personal life but also delves into his writings, offering a deep analysis of his most prominent works. Keim adeptly navigates through Balzac's vast literary repertoire, shedding light on the recurring themes, imagery, and narrative techniques that make his writings so unique. This comprehensive approach allows readers to appreciate the depth and complexity of Balzac's stories while gaining a deeper understanding of the author's creative process. One of the standout aspects of Keim's book is the way he contextualizes Balzac's work within the broader cultural and historical landscape of 19th-century France. By exploring the social, political, and economic forces that shaped Balzac's era, Keim adds richness and depth to the narrative, allowing readers to grasp the societal influences that permeated Balzac's writings. However, the book does have a tendency to get overly detailed at times, which may be overwhelming for readers unfamiliar with Balzac's works or the time period in which he lived. While the in-depth analysis is commendable, it occasionally slows down the pace of the book, making it a more challenging read for those seeking a more general overview of Balzac's life. Despite this minor flaw, Honore de Balzac by Albert Keim is an exceptional biography that showcases the life and legacy of a literary giant. Whether a devoted Balzac enthusiast or a curious reader looking to explore the life of one of France's greatest literary minds, this book offers a comprehensive and captivating journey into the world of Honore de Balzac. Keim's passion for his subject matter shines through in his writing, making this biography a must-read for anyone interested in French literature or the artistic process behind a master storyteller. First Page: Honore de Balzac by Albert Keim and Louis Lumet Translated from the French by FREDERIC TABER COOPER with illustrations from photographs NEW YORK FREDERICK A. STOKES COMPANY, PUBLISHERS Copyright, 1914 by Frederick A. Stokes Company GENERAL NOTE Of all the books perhaps the one best designed for training the mind and forming the character is "Plutarch." The lives of great men are object lessons. They teach effort, devotion, industry, heroism and sacrifice. Even one who confines his reading solely to biographies of thinkers, writers, inventors, poets of the spirit or poets of science, will in a short time have acquired an understanding of the whole History of Humanity. And what novel or what drama could be compared to such a history? Accurate biographies record narratives which no romancer's imagination could hope to rival. Researches, sufferings, labors, triumphs, agonies and disasters, the defeats of destiny, glory, which is the "sunlight of the dead," illuminating the past, whether fortunate or tragic, such is what the lives of Great Men reveal to us, or, if the phrase be allowed, paint for us in a series of fascinating and dramatic pictures. This series of biographies is accordingly intended to form a sort of gallery, a museum of the great servants of Art, Science, Thought and Action... Continue reading book >>

Honore de Balzac By: Albert Keim (1876-1947)

Honore de Balzac by Albert Keim is an insightful biographical work that delves into the life and writings of the renowned French novelist. As one of the most influential figures in French literature, Balzac's contributions to the literary world are examined with keen attention to detail in this book.

Keim's meticulous research and extensive knowledge of Balzac's life are evident throughout the narrative, creating a comprehensive and engaging account. The author explores Balzac's upbringing, his struggles as a writer, and the fascinating anecdotes that shaped his artistic journey. Keim successfully portrays Balzac as a complex and multifaceted individual, capturing both his strengths and weaknesses, allowing readers to truly understand the man behind the words.

The book not only focuses on Balzac's personal life but also delves into his writings, offering a deep analysis of his most prominent works. Keim adeptly navigates through Balzac's vast literary repertoire, shedding light on the recurring themes, imagery, and narrative techniques that make his writings so unique. This comprehensive approach allows readers to appreciate the depth and complexity of Balzac's stories while gaining a deeper understanding of the author's creative process.

One of the standout aspects of Keim's book is the way he contextualizes Balzac's work within the broader cultural and historical landscape of 19th-century France. By exploring the social, political, and economic forces that shaped Balzac's era, Keim adds richness and depth to the narrative, allowing readers to grasp the societal influences that permeated Balzac's writings.

However, the book does have a tendency to get overly detailed at times, which may be overwhelming for readers unfamiliar with Balzac's works or the time period in which he lived. While the in-depth analysis is commendable, it occasionally slows down the pace of the book, making it a more challenging read for those seeking a more general overview of Balzac's life.

Despite this minor flaw, Honore de Balzac by Albert Keim is an exceptional biography that showcases the life and legacy of a literary giant. Whether a devoted Balzac enthusiast or a curious reader looking to explore the life of one of France's greatest literary minds, this book offers a comprehensive and captivating journey into the world of Honore de Balzac. Keim's passion for his subject matter shines through in his writing, making this biography a must-read for anyone interested in French literature or the artistic process behind a master storyteller.

First Page:

Honore de Balzac

Albert Keim and Louis Lumet

Translated from the French by

FREDERIC TABER COOPER

with illustrations from photographs

NEW YORK

FREDERICK A. STOKES COMPANY, PUBLISHERS

GENERAL NOTE

Of all the books perhaps the one best designed for training the mind and forming the character is "Plutarch." The lives of great men are object lessons. They teach effort, devotion, industry, heroism and sacrifice.

Even one who confines his reading solely to biographies of thinkers, writers, inventors, poets of the spirit or poets of science, will in a short time have acquired an understanding of the whole History of Humanity.

And what novel or what drama could be compared to such a history? Accurate biographies record narratives which no romancer's imagination could hope to rival. Researches, sufferings, labors, triumphs, agonies and disasters, the defeats of destiny, glory, which is the "sunlight of the dead," illuminating the past, whether fortunate or tragic, such is what the lives of Great Men reveal to us, or, if the phrase be allowed, paint for us in a series of fascinating and dramatic pictures.

This series of biographies is accordingly intended to form a sort of gallery, a museum of the great servants of Art, Science, Thought and Action... Continue reading book >>

Genres for this book
Biography
Literature

eBook links
Wikipedia – Albert Keim
Wikipedia – Honore de Balzac

eBook Downloads
ePUB eBook • iBooks for iPhone and iPad • Nook • Sony Reader	Kindle eBook • Mobi file format for Kindle
Read eBook • Load eBook in browser	Text File eBook • Computers • Windows • Mac