Magic Skin by Honoré de Balzac is a captivating and thought-provoking novel that explores themes of power, desire, and the consequences of unchecked ambition. The story follows a young man named Raphaël who comes into possession of a magical piece of skin that grants him the ability to fulfill his deepest desires.

As Raphaël's wishes come true, he quickly becomes consumed by his growing power and begins to lose touch with his own sense of morality. The novel delves into the complexities of human nature and the ways in which our desires can often lead us down a dangerous path.

Balzac's writing is rich and evocative, drawing the reader into a world that is both fantastical and deeply introspective. The characters are complex and multifaceted, each struggling with their own desires and motivations.

Overall, Magic Skin is a compelling read that will leave you pondering the nature of desire and the lengths we will go to in order to achieve our dreams. Balzac masterfully weaves together themes of temptation and ambition, creating a story that is both timeless and thought-provoking.

Book Description:
Something along the lines of Dorian Gray as part of the Comedies Humane Philosophique, this is Balzac's first successful novel. He even wrote "criticisms" of the writing himself in promotion of the book, in addition to hyping the work before it even came out. It is a criticism of materialism and French bourgeoisie as so many of his compiled works seek to be. Some same characters reappear.