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Noel B. Gerson
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The Prodigal Genius: The Life and Times of Honoré de Balzac (Giants of the Arts) Kindle Edition

by Noel B. Gerson (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.8 out of 5 stars 13 ratings
An authoritative biography of one of nineteenth-century Europe’s greatest authors.

Perfect for readers who wish to find out more about this literary giant who was admired by his contemporaries from across the globe, including Victor Hugo, Charles Dickens and Henry James.

Author, businessman, bankruptee, gourmand, lover … few people have managed to accomplish so much in one lifetime as the French author Honoré de Balzac.

Hailed as a genius in his own lifetime for his realistic depiction of nineteenth-century French life – an assessment with which he readily agreed – it was Balzac’s own life that was often more extraordinary than his fiction.

Noel B. Gerson charts the rise and fall of this remarkable man through the course of his life, providing insight into the versatile genius and exposing his punishing work schedule and the complexities of his romance-laden, debt-ridden personal life. By utilizing a wealth of primary sources, including the letters written between Balzac and his friends, family and lovers, Gerson masterfully captures the character of 1830s Paris and its most eminent author.

The Prodigal Genius: The Life and Times of Honoré de Balzac is an impressive literary biography of one of France’s greatest novelists, dramatists, essayists and critics.
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  1. Part of series
    Giants of the Arts
  2. Print length
    373 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Accessibility
    Learn more
  5. Publication date
    January 28, 2021
  6. File size
    1.5 MB
  7. Page Flip
    Enabled
  8. Word Wise
    Enabled
  9. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
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There are 7 books in this series.
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  25. One Hundred Years of Solitude
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Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B08VDDDQ6W
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Sapere Books
  • Accessibility ‏ : ‎ Learn more
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ January 28, 2021
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 1.5 MB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 373 pages
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1800551824
  • Page Flip ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Part of series ‏ : ‎ Giants of the Arts
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.8 out of 5 stars 13 ratings

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Noel B. Gerson

Noel B. Gerson

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Customer reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars
13 global ratings

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Top reviews from the United States

  • William Putnam
    4.0 out of 5 stars Quite A Life
    Reviewed in the United States on February 8, 2025
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    I enjoyed the book. While obviously an amazing talent Balzac's gave me a perpetual headache. He had to be the
    smartest one in the room always. His financial affairs were a disaster, yet he never changed. I can't say that I like him personally as he was pretty selfish and obnoxious often.
    Helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Bluey
    5.0 out of 5 stars A Splendid Biography of Honore Balzac
    Reviewed in Australia on December 3, 2024
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    There are some books one doesn’t want to end. This, for me, has been one of them.
    Before venturing into this biography, my knowledge of Balzac was slight, and of his life I knew nothing.
    Author Noel B. Gerson has resolved both issues in admirable fashion. He has turned deep research into a page-turning treat. Each chapter peels back it’s own revelation of the twin realities of both the genius and recklessness of Balzac’s life.
    Full marks for an unputdownable book of great enjoyment.
    This is a great canvas of words and insights on the life of an immortal.
    Report

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