Downfall of the artist as a young man
Whew, what a weighty, ambitious book! Through the tale of Lucien, a would-be writer who enters Paris society with his mistress and presumed benefactor (Mme. Bargeton) to seek fame and fortune, Balzac relentlessly exposes the materialistic, status-obsessed world of early 19th-century France.
Lucien turns out to be a perfect vehicle for Balzac's depiction of decadent French society. That's because Lucien is not really an artist, but a vain and superficial dandy who is only interested in the trappings of success, not the dedication that it takes to become a true artist. Lucien's checkered career plays out as you would expect. I found it funny that Lucien and Mme. Bargeton dump each other about five minutes after arriving in Paris (only a slight exaggeration) to pursue their own sordid ambitions.
As Lucien further entangles himself in the corrupt world of Paris, he forsakes poetry for the world of journalism. A few of his altruistic friends make a futile attempt to discourage Lucien from this move, for the field of journalism as described by Balzac is not known for the highest of ethics. There is much humorous dialogue in this section of the book. "He will rotten before he is ripe," an unfriendly colleague says of Lucien. When another journalist gives Lucien advice on how to approach a book review, he tells Lucien: "... conclude that Nathan's book is the greatest work of this century. That means nothing - it is said of every book."
After Lucien departs Paris thoroughly defeated at the end of the lengthy Part II, I was fairly exhausted with Balzac's cynical world and its elaborate intrigues. I wondered, how much more could there be to say about Lucien, that foolish and rather unlikable social climber? Well, the continuation of Lucien's story does indeed make for fascinating reading, as do the travails of his best friend, David, the hard-working and selfless inventor (the opposite of Lucien) who battles against both the effects of Lucien's irresponsible behavior and the devious maneuvers of competitors.
I agree with many of the glowing reviews on this page that this massive book (700 densely packed pages) is, in many ways, a fantastic work - with well-drawn characters, hard-hitting satire, and laugh-out-loud funny dialogue and observations from Balzac. However, the novel can also be a bit tedious when Balzac puts on his social historian's hat and provides copious background (e.g. most of the first 80 pages), or expounds for several pages at a time about a prominent family's lineage, a new paper-making technique, obscure legal maneuvers, or the ins and outs of a branch of banking. At one point, Balzac goes into detail about banking fees - for 12 pages! I think Henry James, a great admirer of Balzac, was right when he said the artist in Balzac is sometimes smothered by the historian.
As in other Balzac books, characters from other novels make return appearances. Readers of Pere Goriot will recognize a certain "unholy priest" who enters the scene when Lucien's spirits are at their lowest. Despite my limited caveats, I recommend this novel and I plan to read more of Balzac. Cousin Bette, said by some to be his best, is next on my list.
Modern Library translation is weak vis-a-vis readabilty
I did NOT like the Modern Library translation as it does not flow well. Vis-a-vis Balzac (in general) I have prefered the Penguin & Oxford translations.
Balzac's Lost Illusions is a long, complex novel by one of the world's greatest novelists
Honore de Balzac (1799-1850) was a workaholic literary genius. In his relatively short life he wrote 92 novels in his "Human Comedy" series. In these works he wishes to reveal to us humanity in all its many faces as seen in the social, political, business and religious milieu of nineteenth century France. Many of the novels use recurring character in a technique also used by such writers as William Faulkner and Anthony Trollope.
Lost Illusions is a long and sometimes tedious novel about a young poet from the provinces whose name is Lucien Chardan. He is fatuous and relatively talented as a minor poet and historical novelist. He engages in a platonic affair with the wealthy Madame Bargeton resulting in the couple's flight from the village to Paris. There they are soon separated by boredom and disillusion with one another.
Lucien has an amorous affair with the showgirl Coralie who is beautiful but dumb. He becomes a newspaper reporter. Balzac shows us all the details involved in the publishing and literary world of Paris. We meet many interesting characters who populate this environment. It is clear than Lucien is like his creator for Balzac knew well the literary life in Paris. Lucien is disillusioned by the cynicism and the quest for the god MONEY which is worshipped by his friends. Art is forced to take a backseat to the pursuit of pelf. Doublecrosses, blackmail and deceit rule the Parisian desert.
Lucien's sweet sister Eve marries David Sechart. Sechart is a printer who believes he has invented a new way to produce paper cheaply. He is involved in convoluted schemes to keep the business afloat and stay out of debtor's prison.
Lucien is not an admirable figure. He is foolish and vain seeking glory and fame. Balzac continues his downfall story in later books in the Human Comedy series.
Balzac is a great writer but takes getting used to. Many of his pages are devoted to explaining complex money matters and who is cheating whom. He is wonderful on describing a scene in detail and was first class in his microscopic examination of French rural and urban society in mid nineteenth century life. Balzac does not make moral judgments on the actions of his flawed characters leaving that to the reader. In the pantheon of nineteenth century French novelists he stands alone with Victor Hugo and Gustave Flaubert at the top of the list.
Prepare to encounter Genius
Lost Illusions by Honore de Balzac. Published by MobileReference (mobi).
Lost Illusions is the kind of a literary work that lets you peer into the soul of a great mind and dwell there. Endlessly fascinating, but what a painful experience it is to read this book. Highly Recommended.
Insight Gained
The Human Comedy is a saga of 92 novels that Balzac said was written by French society. Legend described him as the night-shirted social recorder working until dawn fueled by liters of coffee. Lost Illusions (1837-1843) is considered to be one of the best of the novels in the series in scope and structure. From the frenetic world of writers and booksellers in Paris to the grueling life of hard work and boredom in villages, Balzac traced the systematic destruction of illusions in his characters. No one could be trusted (friends, foes, or family) when the creative or inventive characters attempted to reach a goal. The flicker of hope and joy related to an artistic or business accomplishment was extinguished within days or hours. The enduring artists and producers were those who lived almost without hope, guided by a strict code of ethics protected only by their ability to keep their accomplishments secret. Ultimately, some of these survivors reached their goals. But by then, they no longer placed high value in them, much of the luster lost with their illusions. Lost Illusions set the standard for many of the wonderful French novels of the subsequent years of the 19th Century. The reader is immersed in French culture in a manner similar to the later writing of Gustav Flaubert.
(20 reviews)
