The Magic Skin (French Literature Classic)

The Magic Skin (French Literature Classic) PDF Author: Honoré de Balzac
Publisher: e-artnow
ISBN:
Category : Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 236

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Book Description
A young man named Raphaël de Valentin wagers his last coin and loses, then proceeds to the river Seine to drown himself. On the way, however, he decides to enter an unusual shop and finds it filled with curiosities from around the world. The elderly shopkeeper leads him to a piece of shagreen hanging on the wall. It is inscribed with "Oriental" writing; the old man calls it "Sanskrit", but it is imprecise Arabic. The skin promises to fulfill any wish of its owner, shrinking slightly upon the fulfillment of each desire. The shopkeeper is willing to let Valentin take it without charge, but urges him not to accept the offer. Valentin waves away the shopkeeper's warnings and takes the skin, wishing for a royal banquet, filled with wine, women, and friends. He is immediately met by acquaintances who invite him to such an event; they spend hours eating, drinking, and talking. But his actions must meet consequences. For each wish granted, the skin shrinks and consumes a portion of his physical energy.

The Magic Skin (French Literature Classic)

The Magic Skin (French Literature Classic) PDF Author: Honoré de Balzac
Publisher: e-artnow
ISBN:
Category : Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 236

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Book Description
A young man named Raphaël de Valentin wagers his last coin and loses, then proceeds to the river Seine to drown himself. On the way, however, he decides to enter an unusual shop and finds it filled with curiosities from around the world. The elderly shopkeeper leads him to a piece of shagreen hanging on the wall. It is inscribed with "Oriental" writing; the old man calls it "Sanskrit", but it is imprecise Arabic. The skin promises to fulfill any wish of its owner, shrinking slightly upon the fulfillment of each desire. The shopkeeper is willing to let Valentin take it without charge, but urges him not to accept the offer. Valentin waves away the shopkeeper's warnings and takes the skin, wishing for a royal banquet, filled with wine, women, and friends. He is immediately met by acquaintances who invite him to such an event; they spend hours eating, drinking, and talking. But his actions must meet consequences. For each wish granted, the skin shrinks and consumes a portion of his physical energy.

The Wild Ass's Skin

The Wild Ass's Skin PDF Author: Honoré de Balzac
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : France
Languages : en
Pages : 318

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Book Description


The Magic Skin

The Magic Skin PDF Author: Honoré de Balzac
Publisher: Createspace Independent Publishing Platform
ISBN: 9781727357745
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 238

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Book Description
The Magic Skin (La Peau de chagrin) is set in early 19th-century Paris and tells the story of a young man who finds a magic piece of shagreen that fulfills his every desire. For each wish granted, however, the skin shrinks and consumes a portion of his physical energy. Although the novel uses fantastic elements, its main focus is a realistic portrayal of the excesses of bourgeois materialism. Balzac's renowned attention to detail is used to describe a gambling house, an antique shop, a royal banquet, and other locales. He also includes details from his own life as a struggling writer, placing the main character in a home similar to the one he occupied at the start of his literary career. The central theme of La Peau de chagrin is the conflict between desire and longevity. The magic skin represents the owner's life-force, which is depleted through every expression of will, especially when it is employed for the acquisition of power. Ignoring a caution from the shopkeeper who offers him the skin, the protagonist greedily surrounds himself with wealth, only to find himself miserable and decrepit at the story's end. (source: Wikipedia)

The Magic Skin

The Magic Skin PDF Author: Honoré de Balzac
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 432

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Book Description


French Literature Classics - Ultimate Collection: 90+ Novels, Stories, Poems, Plays & Philosophy

French Literature Classics - Ultimate Collection: 90+ Novels, Stories, Poems, Plays & Philosophy PDF Author: Stendhal
Publisher: Good Press
ISBN:
Category : Literary Criticism
Languages : en
Pages : 19527

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Book Description
French Literature Classics - Ultimate Collection: 90+ Novels, Stories, Poems, Plays & Philosophy is a monumental anthology that showcases the rich tapestry of French literature, ranging from the keen psychological insights of Stendhal to the intricate societal critiques of Émile Zola. This collection spans diverse literary styles, including the romanticism of Victor Hugo, the naturalism of Zola, and the existential questions posed by the works of Jean-Jacques Rousseau. It provides an unparalleled opportunity to explore the breadth of French literary achievements, highlighting significant movements and themes such as the quest for personal identity, the complexities of human nature, and the critique of social conventions. Notable works include the biting satire of Molière, the haunting narratives of Gaston Leroux, and the poetic innovations of Charles Baudelaire, making this collection an essential compendium for any literary scholar. The contributing authors and editors of this anthology represent the crème de la crème of French literary history, their lives intertwined with the very fabric of French culture and the literary movements they helped shape. From the early modern period with Rabelais and Corneille through to the philosophical enlightenment of Voltaire and Rousseau, and into the richly complex worlds of Proust and Dumas, this collection encapsulates a lineage of thought and creativity that has significantly influenced not only French but global literature. It is a testament to the enduring power and diversity of French literary voice, capturing pivotal moments in literary development and the individual and collective quest for understanding human experience. This anthology invites readers to embark on a profound journey through the landscapes of French thought and expression. It offers a unique opportunity to engage with the multitude of voices, styles, and themes that have shaped both the literary canon and the broader discourse on society, politics, and the human condition. Encouraging a deeper understanding of the interplay between individual creativity and cultural movements, French Literature Classics - Ultimate Collection is an invaluable resource for students, educators, and anyone with a passion for exploring the depths of human expression through literature. The collection promises not only academic enrichment but also the sheer joy of discovering the interconnectedness of stories, ideas, and the universal quest for meaning that ties humanity together.

The Greatest Classics of French Literature

The Greatest Classics of French Literature PDF Author: Stendhal
Publisher: DigiCat
ISBN:
Category : Literary Collections
Languages : en
Pages : 22274

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Book Description
DigiCat presents to you this meticulously edited collection of the greatest classics of French literature: A History of French Literature François Rabelais: Gargantua and Pantagruel Molière: Tartuffe or the Hypocrite The Misanthrope The Miser The Imaginary Invalid The Impostures of Scapin... Jean Racine: Phaedra Pierre Corneille: The Cid Voltaire: Candide Zadig Micromegas The Huron A Philosophical Dictionary... Jean-Jacques Rousseau: Confessions Emile The Social Contract De Laclos: Dangerous Liaisons Stendhal‎: The Red and the Black The Charterhouse of Parma... Honoré de Balzac: Father Goriot Eugénie Grandet Lost Illusions The Lily of the Valley A Woman of Thirty Colonel Chabert The Magic Skin The Unknown Masterpiece... Victor Hugo: Les Misérables The Man Who Laughs The Hunchback of Notre-Dame Toilers of the Sea... George Sand: The Devil's Pool Mauprat Alexandre Dumas pere: The Three Musketeers Twenty Years After The Vicomte de Bragelonne Ten Years After Louise de la Valliere The Man in the Iron Mask The Count of Monte Cristo... Alexandre Dumas fils: The Lady with the Camellias Gustave Flaubert: Madame Bovary Salammbô Bouvard and Pécuchet Sentimental Education... Émile Zola: Thérèse Raquin The Fortune of the Rougons The Kill The Dram Shop A Love Episode Nana Piping Hot Germinal His Masterpiece The Earth The Dream The Human Beast Money The Downfall Doctor Pascal... Jules Verne: Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea Around the World in Eighty Days The Mysterious Island Journey to the Centre of the Earth From the Earth to the Moon Around the Moon In Search of the Castaways Guy de Maupassant: A Life Bel-Ami (The History of a Scoundrel) Mont Oriol Notre Coeur Pierre and Jean Strong as Death The Necklace The Horla Boul de Suif Two Friends Madame Tellier's Establishment... Charles Baudelaire: The Flowers of Evil Anatole France: The Revolt of the Angels The Gods are Athirst (The Gods Will Have Blood) Penguin Island Thaïs Gaston Leroux: The Phantom of the Opera The Mystery of the Yellow Room The Secret of the Night The Man with the Black Feather Marcel Proust: Swann's Way

The Magic Skin

The Magic Skin PDF Author: de Balzac
Publisher: 谷月社
ISBN:
Category : Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 329

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Book Description
La Peau de chagrin (The Magic Skin or The Wild Ass's Skin) is an 1831 novel by French novelist and playwright Honoré de Balzac (1799–1850). Set in early 19th-century Paris, it tells the story of a young man who finds a magic piece of shagreen that fulfills his every desire. For each wish granted, however, the skin shrinks and consumes a portion of his physical energy. La Peau de chagrin belongs to the Études philosophiques group of Balzac's sequence of novels, La Comédie humaine. Before the book was completed, Balzac created excitement about it by publishing a series of articles and story fragments in several Parisian journals. Although he was five months late in delivering the manuscript, he succeeded in generating sufficient interest that the novel sold out instantly upon its publication. A second edition, which included a series of twelve other "philosophical tales", was released one month later. Although the novel uses fantastic elements, its main focus is a realistic portrayal of the excesses of bourgeois materialism. Balzac's renowned attention to detail is used to describe a gambling house, an antique shop, a royal banquet, and other locales. He also includes details from his own life as a struggling writer, placing the main character in a home similar to the one he occupied at the start of his literary career. The central theme of La Peau de chagrin is the conflict between desire and longevity. The magic skin represents the owner's life-force, which is depleted through every expression of will, especially when it is employed for the acquisition of power. Ignoring a caution from the shopkeeper who offers him the skin, the protagonist greedily surrounds himself with wealth, only to find himself miserable and decrepit at the story's end. La Peau de chagrin firmly established Balzac as a writer of significance in France. His social circle widened significantly, and he was sought eagerly by publishers for future projects. The book served as the catalyst for a series of letters he exchanged with a Polish baroness named Ewelina Hańska, who later became his wife. It also inspired Giselher Klebe's opera Die tödlichen Wünsche.

The Best of Balzac

The Best of Balzac PDF Author: Honoré de Balzac
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Fiction, French
Languages : en
Pages : 336

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Book Description


French Classics - Boxed Set: 100+ Novels, Short Stories, Poems, Plays & Philosophical Books

French Classics - Boxed Set: 100+ Novels, Short Stories, Poems, Plays & Philosophical Books PDF Author: Stendhal
Publisher: Good Press
ISBN:
Category : Literary Criticism
Languages : en
Pages : 22272

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Book Description
The 'French Classics - Boxed Set: 100+ Novels, Short Stories, Poems, Plays & Philosophical Books' offers an unparalleled journey through the richness of French literary tradition, sweeping across genres from the vivid realism of Émile Zola to the romantic adventures of Alexandre Dumas, and the profound philosophical discussions of Jean-Jacques Rousseau. This anthology encapsulates the evolution of French literature, showcasing its ability to reflect and shape societal changes and individual experiences. It invites readers to explore seminal works that have defined and transcended their times, including revolutionary plays, poignant poems, and transformative philosophical texts. The thematic diversity and stylistic innovations present in this collection serve as a testament to the enduring legacy and versatility of French literary crafts. The contributing authors and editors, pillars of French literature, bring to this collection a range of perspectives shaped by their distinct historical contexts, personal experiences, and cultural backgrounds. From the Enlightenment thoughts of Voltaire to the existential complexity of Marcel Proust's narrative, each contributor has played a pivotal role in literary movements that span from the Renaissance to modernism. Their collective works offer a dynamic exploration of human nature, societal norms, and the pursuit of truth, underscoring the anthology's relevance to both contemporary and historical social discourses. For scholars, students, and aficionados of literature, 'French Classics - Boxed Set' presents an invaluable opportunity to engage with the comprehensive scope of French literary genius. It not only enhances the readers appreciation for the depth and breadth of French literature but also encourages a nuanced understanding of the cultural, philosophical, and aesthetic dialogues that have enriched the global literary landscape. This collection is an essential addition to any library, promising countless hours of enjoyment and scholarly inquiry.

Anna and the French Kiss

Anna and the French Kiss PDF Author: Stephanie Perkins
Publisher: Usborne Publishing Ltd
ISBN: 1409579956
Category : Juvenile Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 346

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Book Description
Anna had everything figured out – she was about to start senior year with her best friend, she had a great weekend job and her huge work crush looked as if it might finally be going somewhere... Until her dad decides to send her 4383 miles away to Paris. On her own. But despite not speaking a word of French, Anna finds herself making new friends, including Étienne St. Clair, the smart, beautiful boy from the floor above. But he's taken – and Anna might be too. Will a year of romantic near-misses end with the French kiss she's been waiting for?