| Author |
Balzac, Honoré de, 1799-1850 |
| Translator |
Wormeley, Katharine Prescott, 1830-1908 |
| Title |
An Historical Mystery (The Gondreville Mystery)
|
| Note |
Reading ease score: 67.0 (8th & 9th grade). Neither easy nor difficult to read.
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| Credits |
Produced by John Bickers, Dagny, Bonnie Sala, and David Widger
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| Summary |
"An Historical Mystery (The Gondreville Mystery)" by Honoré de Balzac is a historical novel written in the early 19th century during the time of the French Empire. The story unfolds in the backdrop of post-Revolutionary France, revolving around the character of Michu, a bailiff who harbors a complex resentment stemming from the political upheavals that have tarnished his reputation and life. The plot involves themes of betrayal, vengeance, and the legacy of noble families as Michu grapples with the consequences of his past actions and the shifting dynamics of power in his region. At the start of the narrative, we find Michu in a state of tension within the serene yet oppressive environment of the hunting lodge at Gondreville. The autumn day in 1803 is juxtaposed against the dark undercurrents of fear and suspicion among the characters, especially Michu's wife and mother-in-law, who are plagued by a sense of impending doom linked to his mysterious ambitions. Michu is portrayed as a man of inherent strength and prophetic physiognomy, deeply connected to the dark whims of revolution and its aftermath. As he prepares for an unknown confrontation, the arrival of two enigmatic Parisian visitors adds an ominous layer, setting the stage for intrigue and the exploration of themes related to loyalty, legacy, and the potential for violence. (This is an automatically generated summary.)
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| Language |
English |
| LoC Class |
PQ: Language and Literatures: Romance literatures: French, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese
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| Subject |
Historical fiction
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| Subject |
Detective and mystery stories
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| Subject |
French fiction -- Translations into English
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| Category |
Text |
| EBook-No. |
1678 |
| Release Date |
Nov 6, 2004 |
| Most Recently Updated |
Jan 27, 2021 |
| Copyright Status |
Public domain in the USA. |
| Downloads |
130 downloads in the last 30 days. |
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