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Author: Honoré de Balzac Publisher: BEYOND BOOKS HUB ISBN: Category : Fiction Languages : en Pages : 208
Book Description
Regarded by many critics as one of Honore de Balzac's foremost literary achievements, the novel The Alkahest offers an incisive look at the dangers of obsession. Scientist Balthazar Claes begins his research into alchemical properties with the best of intentions, but before long, he begins to neglect everything else in his life.
Author: Honoré de Balzac Publisher: BEYOND BOOKS HUB ISBN: Category : Fiction Languages : en Pages : 208
Book Description
Regarded by many critics as one of Honore de Balzac's foremost literary achievements, the novel The Alkahest offers an incisive look at the dangers of obsession. Scientist Balthazar Claes begins his research into alchemical properties with the best of intentions, but before long, he begins to neglect everything else in his life.
Author: Honore de Balzac Publisher: CreateSpace ISBN: 9781505286816 Category : Fiction Languages : en Pages : 198
Book Description
Regarded by many critics as one of Honore de Balzac's foremost literary achievements, the novel The Alkahest offers an incisive look at the dangers of obsession. Scientist Balthazar Claes begins his research into alchemical properties with the best of intentions, but before long, he begins to neglect everything else in his life.
Author: Honore de Balzac Publisher: ISBN: 9781986171410 Category : Languages : en Pages : 112
Book Description
Regarded by many critics as one of Honore de Balzac's foremost literary achievements, the novel The Alkahest offers an incisive look at the dangers of obsession. Scientist Balthazar Claes begins his research into alchemical properties with the best of intentions, but before long, he begins to neglect everything else in his life.
Author: Honore de Balzac Translated by Katharine Prescott Publisher: Createspace Independent Publishing Platform ISBN: 9781727860306 Category : Languages : en Pages : 128
Book Description
Regarded by many critics as one of Honore de Balzac's foremost literary achievements, the novel The Alkahest offers an incisive look at the dangers of obsession. Scientist Balthazar Claes begins his research into alchemical properties with the best of intentions, but before long, he begins to neglect everything else in his life.
Author: Honoré de Balzac Publisher: IndyPublish.com ISBN: 9781588275042 Category : Fiction Languages : en Pages : 188
Book Description
'From this unimpeachable experiment, ' he cried, 'I deduce the existence of the Alkahest, the Absolute, --a substance common to all created things, differentiated by one primary force. Such is the net meaning and position of the problem of the Absolute, which appears to me to be solvable. In it we find the mysterious Ternary, before whose shrine humanity has knelt from the dawn of ages.
Author: Honore de Balzac Publisher: Library of Alexandria ISBN: 1465527745 Category : Fiction Languages : en Pages : 19641
Book Description
Half-way down the Rue Saint-Denis, almost at the corner of the Rue du Petit-Lion, there stood formerly one of those delightful houses which enable historians to reconstruct old Paris by analogy. The threatening walls of this tumbledown abode seemed to have been decorated with hieroglyphics. For what other name could the passer-by give to the Xs and Vs which the horizontal or diagonal timbers traced on the front, outlined by little parallel cracks in the plaster? It was evident that every beam quivered in its mortices at the passing of the lightest vehicle. This venerable structure was crowned by a triangular roof of which no example will, ere long, be seen in Paris. This covering, warped by the extremes of the Paris climate, projected three feet over the roadway, as much to protect the threshold from the rainfall as to shelter the wall of a loft and its sill-less dormer-window. This upper story was built of planks, overlapping each other like slates, in order, no doubt, not to overweight the frail house. One rainy morning in the month of March, a young man, carefully wrapped in his cloak, stood under the awning of a shop opposite this old house, which he was studying with the enthusiasm of an antiquary. In point of fact, this relic of the civic life of the sixteenth century offered more than one problem to the consideration of an observer. Each story presented some singularity; on the first floor four tall, narrow windows, close together, were filled as to the lower panes with boards, so as to produce the doubtful light by which a clever salesman can ascribe to his goods the color his customers inquire for. The young man seemed very scornful of this part of the house; his eyes had not yet rested on it. The windows of the second floor, where the Venetian blinds were drawn up, revealing little dingy muslin curtains behind the large Bohemian glass panes, did not interest him either. His attention was attracted to the third floor, to the modest sash-frames of wood, so clumsily wrought that they might have found a place in the Museum of Arts and Crafts to illustrate the early efforts of French carpentry. These windows were glazed with small squares of glass so green that, but for his good eyes, the young man could not have seen the blue-checked cotton curtains which screened the mysteries of the room from profane eyes. Now and then the watcher, weary of his fruitless contemplation, or of the silence in which the house was buried, like the whole neighborhood, dropped his eyes towards the lower regions. An involuntary smile parted his lips each time he looked at the shop, where, in fact, there were some laughable details. A formidable wooden beam, resting on four pillars, which appeared to have bent under the weight of the decrepit house, had been encrusted with as many coats of different paint as there are of rouge on an old duchess' cheek. In the middle of this broad and fantastically carved joist there was an old painting representing a cat playing rackets. This picture was what moved the young man to mirth. But it must be said that the wittiest of modern painters could not invent so comical a caricature. The animal held in one of its forepaws a racket as big as itself, and stood on its hind legs to aim at hitting an enormous ball, returned by a man in a fine embroidered coat. Drawing, color, and accessories, all were treated in such a way as to suggest that the artist had meant to make game of the shop-owner and of the passing observer. Time, while impairing this artless painting, had made it yet more grotesque by introducing some uncertain features which must have puzzled the conscientious idler. For instance, the cat's tail had been eaten into in such a way that it might now have been taken for the figure of a spectator—so long, and thick, and furry were the tails of our forefathers' cats. To the right of the picture, on an azure field which ill-disguised the decay of the wood, might be read the name "Guillaume," and to the left, "Successor to Master Chevrel." Sun and rain had worn away most of the gilding parsimoniously applied to the letters of this superscription, in which the Us and Vs had changed places in obedience to the laws of old-world orthography. To quench the pride of those who believe that the world is growing cleverer day by day, and that modern humbug surpasses everything, it may be observed that these signs, of which the origin seems so whimsical to many Paris merchants, are the dead pictures of once living pictures by which our roguish ancestors contrived to tempt customers into their houses. Thus the Spinning Sow, the Green Monkey, and others, were animals in cages whose skills astonished the passer-by, and whose accomplishments prove the patience of the fifteenth-century artisan. Such curiosities did more to enrich their fortunate owners than the signs of "Providence," "Good-faith," "Grace of God," and "Decapitation of John the Baptist," which may still be seen in the Rue Saint-Denis.
Author: Honore de Balzac Publisher: Prabhat Prakashan ISBN: Category : Fiction Languages : en Pages : 175
Book Description
Embark on a mesmerizing journey into the realms of alchemy and romance with "The Alkahest" by Honore de Balzac, skillfully translated by Katharine Prescott Wormeley. This captivating tale immerses readers in a world where passion, ambition, and the pursuit of the philosopher's stone collide in a spellbinding narrative. Join acclaimed author Honore de Balzac as he weaves a tapestry of intrigue and mysticism in "The Alkahest." Set against the backdrop of 19th-century Paris, this novel follows the enigmatic figure of Balthazar Claes, a brilliant scientist consumed by his quest for the alkahest, a legendary substance rumored to possess the power to transmute base metals into gold. Through Balzac's evocative prose and Wormeley's masterful translation, readers are drawn into a world of forbidden knowledge and esoteric secrets. As Claes delves deeper into his alchemical experiments, he becomes increasingly isolated from his family and society, risking everything in pursuit of his elusive dream. In "The Alkahest," Balzac explores timeless themes of ambition, obsession, and the human desire for transcendence. As Claes's quest for the philosopher's stone consumes him, readers are left to ponder the nature of ambition and the price of unchecked desire. Since its publication, "The Alkahest" has captivated readers with its richly drawn characters, intricate plot, and philosophical depth. Balzac's masterful storytelling and Wormeley's elegant translation ensure that this novel remains a timeless classic of French literature, beloved by readers around the world. As you immerse yourself in the pages of "The Alkahest," you'll be swept away by Balzac's vivid imagination and Wormeley's lyrical prose. Together, they create a world of wonder and intrigue, where the boundaries between science and magic blur, and the quest for knowledge becomes a journey of self-discovery. Don't miss your chance to experience the magic of "The Alkahest" by Honore de Balzac, expertly translated by Katharine Prescott Wormeley. Grab your copy now and embark on a spellbinding adventure into the heart of alchemy and romance.
Author: Honoré de Balzac Publisher: Good Press ISBN: Category : Literary Collections Languages : en Pages : 10489
Book Description
The Best Works of Balzac compiles some of the most influential novels and short stories by the renowned French author Honoré de Balzac. Known for his realistic portrayal of French society in the early 19th century, Balzac's works are characterized by intricate character development, detailed descriptions of social structures, and a deep exploration of human nature. The collection includes masterpieces such as 'Eugénie Grandet' and 'Père Goriot', showcasing Balzac's keen observation of human behavior and his ability to capture the complexities of everyday life. Honoré de Balzac, a prolific writer and a prominent figure in French literature, drew inspiration from his own experiences and observations of the society around him. His commitment to portraying the realities of his time in a nuanced and compelling manner set him apart as a literary giant of his era. I highly recommend The Best Works of Balzac to readers interested in exploring the intricacies of human relationships, societal dynamics, and the impact of ambition and greed. Balzac's narratives provide a rich tapestry of emotions and motivations that continue to resonate with audiences today.
Author: Honoré de Balzac
Author: Honoré de Balzac
Author: Honore de Balzac
Author: Honore de Balzac
Author: Honoré de Balzac
Author: Honore de Balzac
Author: Honore de Balzac Translated by Katharine Prescott
Author: Honoré de Balzac
Author: Honore de Balzac
Author: Honore de Balzac
Author: Honoré de Balzac