The Commission in Lunacy by Honoré de Balzac
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"The Commission in Lunacy" by Honoré de Balzac is a novel written in the early 19th century. The narrative revolves around a legal case involving Madame d'Espard, who is seeking a commission to have her husband declared insane, thereby enabling her to gain control over his affairs and assure the welfare of her children. At the center of the story is M. Jean-Jules Popinot, the judge assigned to the case, along with
his friend Horace Bianchon, a physician, who becomes embroiled in the social complexities surrounding the d'Espard family. The opening of the novel introduces us to the world of Parisian high society through the conversations between Bianchon and Rastignac, revealing their views on the intricate dynamics of love and ambition. As they walk after a night out, Rastignac expresses his infatuation with Madame d'Espard, while Bianchon provides a critical assessment of her character. The narrative then shifts focus to M. Popinot, highlighting his humble existence and the weight of the commission he must undertake. The judge's visit to Madame d'Espard's opulent home contrasts sharply with his squalid parlor, setting the stage for the examination of class disparity, societal expectations, and the moral implications of the legal proceedings that will unfold as Popinot seeks to uncover the truth behind her petition. (This is an automatically generated summary.)
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About this eBook
| Author | Balzac, Honoré de, 1799-1850 |
|---|---|
| Translator | Bell, Clara, 1834-1927 |
| Title | The Commission in Lunacy |
| Note | Translation of L'Interdiction |
| Credits | Produced by John Bickers, and Dagny, and David Widger |
| Reading Level | Reading ease score: 65.6 (8th & 9th grade). Neither easy nor difficult to read. |
| Language | English |
| LoC Class | PQ: Language and Literatures: Romance literatures: French, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese |
| Subject | Biographical fiction |
| Subject | French fiction -- Translations into English |
| Category | Text |
| eBook-No. | 1410 |
| Release Date | Jul 2, 2004 |
| Last Update | Jan 27, 2021 |
| Copyright | Public domain in the USA. |
| Downloads | 531 downloads in the last 30 days. |
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