Vautrin (eBook)

In 'Vautrin,' Honoré de Balzac delivers a riveting drama in five acts, meticulously structured to enrich his already formidable oeuvre. This work represents a theatrical incarnation within La Comédie Humaine, Balzac's tour-de-force project that anatomizes French society in the 19th century. Through vivid characterization and dialogues replete with the psychological depth Balzac is renowned for, the play unravels the life of its eponymous character, Jacques Collin, known as Vautrin, a master of disguise and manipulation. Synthesizing elements of his novelistic style with the brevity demanded by stage, Balzac crafts a gripping narrative that interrogates themes of power, identity, and the inescapable nature of one's past, thereby cementing its place within the literary context as a significant but often overlooked gem.
Honoré de Balzac, a pillar of French literature, was profoundly influenced by the social currents and the intricate human tapestries of his time. With 'Vautrin,' he channels his acute insights into the human condition, perhaps drawing from his own experiences with financial struggle, tireless ambition, and the pursuit of artistic recognition. This intimate familiarity breathes life into the play, reflecting the duality of Balzac himself—both observer and participant in the social dramas he depicts.
'Vautrin' comes highly recommended not merely to enthusiasts of Balzac's novels but also to admirers of classic theater and scholars of 19th-century literature. This DigiCat Publishing edition accords readers the superb opportunity to engage with this lesser-staged work of Balzac, ensuring that its potent exploration of societal veils and personal dénouement reaches a contemporary audience. It beckons those who seek to comprehend the vast human tableau which Balzac so masterfully painted, serving as an enduring testament to the complexities of character and the power of dramatic storytelling.