Madame Firmiani
Enriched edition. Love, Deception, and Aristocratic Life in 19th-Century ParisBy Honoré de Balzac
Length2h 2m
About this audiobook
In 'Madame Firmiani,' Honoré de Balzac crafts a poignant exploration of love, social ambition, and moral complexity within the context of early 19th-century French society. This short story, imbued with realism characteristic of Balzac's work, employs intricate characterizations and a richly descriptive narrative style to navigate the emotional landscapes of its protagonists. The tale focuses on the juxtaposition of social status and personal integrity, delving into themes of sacrifice and the often harsh realities of self-interest amid romantic entanglements. Honoré de Balzac, a pivotal figure in the development of the modern novel, was deeply influenced by the tumultuous social changes of his time, including the rise of bourgeois values and the fragmentation of aristocratic power. His vast oeuvre, which includes the celebrated 'La Comedie Humaine,' reveals his fascination with the human psyche and the societal forces that shape individual destinies. 'Madame Firmiani,' written during Balzac's search for expressive clarity in a world filled with moral ambiguity, reflects this ambition through its astute social commentary. This captivating tale is indispensable for readers interested in the intersections of love and social structure. Balzac's meticulous attention to character and his insightful critique of societal norms make 'Madame Firmiani' a compelling and thought-provoking read for those eager to engage with the complexities of human relationships within a vividly drawn historical context.
In this enriched edition, we have carefully created added value for your reading experience:
- A succinct Introduction situates the work's timeless appeal and themes.
- The Synopsis outlines the central plot, highlighting key developments without spoiling critical twists.
- A detailed Historical Context immerses you in the era's events and influences that shaped the writing.
- An Author Biography reveals milestones in the author's life, illuminating the personal insights behind the text.
- A thorough Analysis dissects symbols, motifs, and character arcs to unearth underlying meanings.
- Reflection questions prompt you to engage personally with the work's messages, connecting them to modern life.
- Hand‐picked Memorable Quotes shine a spotlight on moments of literary brilliance.
- Interactive footnotes clarify unusual references, historical allusions, and archaic phrases for an effortless, more informed read.
Audiobook details
Rating★★★ 3.3 (220)
Includes Goodreads
GenreLiterary Classics, General Fiction
Length2 hrs 2 mins
Narrated byListen with 1,000+ voices
FormateBook with Audio
Publish dateDec 2, 2019
LanguageEnglish
Eugenia GrandetHonoré de Balzac7h 40m$1.99 · $0.00
Junggesellenwirtschaft (Kommentiert)Honoré de Balzac13h 53m4.3 (13)$1 · $0.00
The Lily of the Valley (Annotated)Honoré de Balzac12h 22m$2 · $0.00
A Woman of Thirty (Annotated)Honoré de Balzac9h 14m3.6 (7.8K)$2 · $0.00
Rise and Fall of Cesar Birotteau (Annotated)Honoré de Balzac12h 11m$2 · $0.00
Der Dorfpfarrer (Roman) (Kommentiert)Honoré de Balzac13h 55m3.7 (231)$1 · $0.00
Gesammelte Werke: 15 Romane, 27 Erzählungen, 2 Novellen, 2 Abhandlungen & Essays (Kommentiert)Honoré de Balzac396h 51m$1.50 · $0.00
The Celibates Trilogy (Annotated)Honoré de Balzac21h 37m$2 · $0.00
The Magic Skin (Annotated)Honoré de Balzac12h 19m4.3 (11)$2 · $0.00
History of the Thirteen (Annotated)Honoré de Balzac15h 12m4.0 (3.9K)$2 · $0.00
Scenes from a Courtesan's Life (Annotated)Honoré de Balzac23h 15m4.4 (112)$2 · $0.00
Eugénie Grandet (Roman) (Kommentiert)Honoré de Balzac11h 29m4.1 (45.1K)$1 · $0.00
Oeuvres Complètes (Annoté)Honoré de Balzac479h 55m4.6 (166)$1.99 · $0.00
Das Chagrinleder: Valentins Pakt mit dem Teufel (Kommentiert)Honoré de Balzac13h 42m4.3 (14)$1 · $0.00
Gesammelte Romane: 15 Romane in einem Band (Kommentiert)Honoré de Balzac196h 24m$1 · $0.00
Die Lilie im Tal (Roman) (Kommentiert)Honoré de Balzac14h 16m3.7 (8.2K)$1 · $0.00
Die besten Kurzgeschichten aus Frankreich (Kommentiert)Honoré de Balzac, George Sand, Guy de Maupassant, Alphonse Daudet, Stendhal, Gustave Flaubert, Alexandre Dumas, Charles Baudelaire, Prosper Mérimée, André Gide, Anatole France183h 30m$1 · $0.00
Cousin Betty & Cousin Pons (Annotated)Honoré de Balzac30h 57m$2 · $0.00
Catherine De Medici (Annotated)Honoré de Balzac12h 56m3.4 (639)$2 · $0.00
The Best Works of Balzac (Annotated)Honoré de Balzac451h 6m4.4 (29)$2 · $0.00
To Kill a MockingbirdHarper Lee12h 18m4.5 (7.4M)$29 · $0.00
These Precious DaysAnn Patchett11h 14m4.5 (45.2K)$29 · $0.00
Twelfth Night (The Unabridged Play) + The Classic Biography (Annotated)William Shakespeare, Sidney Lee16h 38m4.6 (1.4K)$2 · $0.00
Henry V (The Play, Historical Background and Analysis of the Character in the Play)William Shakespeare, William Hazlitt8h 40m4.6 (1.3K)$1 · $0.00
H. P. LOVECRAFT Ultimate Collection: Novellas, Short Stories, Poetry & Essays (Annotated)H. P. Lovecraft12h 28m4.6 (2.3K)$2 · $0.00
Time RegainedMarcel Proust15h 54m4.5 (10.6K)$2 · $0.00
TORAH - Bilingual Edition: English/Hebrew (Annotated)Max Margolis, JPS28h 26m4.6 (1K)$2 · $0.00
Betty Crocker picture cooky bookBetty Crocker, Inc. General Mills2h 13m4.5 (6.5K)$1 · $0.00
The Complete Tales of Beatrix PotterBeatrix Potter3h 36m4.5 (75K)$3 · $0.00
Crime and Punishment (The Unabridged Garnett Translation) (Annotated)Fyodor Dostoevsky24h 25m4.5 (15.4K)$1.99 · $0.00
The North American IndianEdward S. Curtis, Frederick Webb Hodge6h4.5 (1.2K)$2 · $0.00
The Picture of Dorian Gray: The Uncensored 13 Chapter Version + The Revised 20 Chapter Version (Annotated)Oscar Wilde16h 12m4.5 (2.8K)$1.99 · $0.00
Grimoire Of The Everyday WitchIsadora Lys / Virginia Santos5h 35m4.5 (3.9K)$9 · $0.00
Winnie-the-PoohAlan Alexander Milne2h 52m4.5 (401.1K)$3 · $0.00
Sitting PrettyRebekah Taussig7h 33m4.5 (18.9K)$26 · $0.00
The Poetic Edda & The Prose EddaSnorri Sturluson, Saemund Sigfusson9h 34m4.5 (4K)$1 · $0.00
The Complete Satires & Essays of Mark Twain (Annotated)Mark Twain23h 21m4.5 (1.1K)$2 · $0.00
Rilla of InglesideLucy Maud Montgomery10h 58m4.5 (46.7K)$1 · $0.00
The Posthumous Memoirs Of Brás CubasMachado De Assis7h 39m4.4 (120.4K)$5 · $0.00
The Iliad & The OdysseyHomer25h 12m4.4 (39K)$12 · $0.00
WhistlerAnn Patchett10h 45m4.6 (4.6K)$29 · $0.00
Demon CopperheadBarbara Kingsolver21h 3m4.5 (949.4K)$46 · $0.00
To Kill a MockingbirdHarper Lee12h 18m4.5 (7.4M)$29 · $0.00
Remarkably Bright CreaturesShelby Van Pelt11h 17m4.4 (1.7M)$29 · $0.00
The Ghost by the Billabong (The Matilda Saga, #5)Jackie French14h 58m4.6 (773)$33 · $0.00
Cast in BloodMichelle Sagara16h 35m4.6 (607)$33 · $0.00
The Captain Blood Trilogy (Annotated)Rafael Sabatini29h 20m4.6 (1K)$3 · $0.00
Ship of the Line (Annotated)Cecil Louis Troughton Smith11h 13m4.6 (1K)$2 · $0.00
The George Orwell CollectionGeorge Orwell24h 46m4.5 (14.4K)$12 · $0.00
Time RegainedMarcel Proust15h 38m4.5 (9.2K)$2 · $0.00
Driving ForceElle James4h 58m4.6 (407)$20 · $0.00
When God Calls the HeartBrian Bird, Michelle Cox3h 24m4.6 (439)$10 · $0.00
Five Little IndiansMichelle Good10h 34m4.5 (64.5K)$29 · $0.00
Lolth's WarriorR. A. Salvatore13h 20m4.6 (2.4K)$33 · $0.00
The Things We Cannot SayKelly Rimmer13h 48m4.5 (359.1K)$33 · $0.00
The Love Songs of W.E.B. Du BoisHonoree Fanonne Jeffers29h 49m4.5 (58K)$8 · $0.00
Going PostalTerry Pratchett11h 23m4.5 (189.9K)$29 · $0.00
Glen AffricKarine Giebel22h 51m4.5 (3.2K)$46 · $0.00
The Book Of NegroesLawrence Hill15h 45m4.5 (107.3K)$33 · $0.00
Lieutenant Hornblower (Annotated)C. S. Forester11h 41m4.5 (2.9K)$2 · $0.00
You may also like
The Tryst (Musaicum Romance Classics)Grace Livingston Hill13h 5m4.2 (531)$2 · $0.00
The Tenant of Wildfell HallAnne Brontë18h 24m4.2 (222K)$2.30
MirandaGrace Livingston Hill9h 16m4.4 (939)$1.20 · $0.00
Tyrant of the MindPriscilla Royal7h 38m3.9 (1.5K)$20
A Tale of Two CitiesCharles Dickens14h 43m4.1 (1M)$25
Dred: A Tale of the Great Dismal SwampHarriet Beecher Stowe25h 17m3.8 (1.5K)$2.30
The WardenAnthony Trollope7h 43m3.9 (29.1K)$1.20 · $0.00
Lover’s KnotEmilie Richards15h 43m4.3 (1.8K)$30
BARNABY RUDGE (Illustrated)Charles Dickens29h 33m3.9 (16.2K)$1 · $0.00
The Lost OrphanStacey Halls9h 51m4.0 (46.4K)$29 · $0.00
Highland BeastHeather McCollum9h 23m4.5 (834)$20
The Analects of ConfuciusAnonymous4h 2m4.0 (35K)$1 · $0.00
The WardenAnthony Trollope7h 10m3.8 (16.3K)$17
The Roots of EnduranceJohn Piper3h 56m4.4 (1.4K)$17
The Analects of ConfuciusAnonymous4h 2m4.0 (117.3K)$2 · $0.00
A Tale of Two CitiesCharles Dickens15h 1m4.1 (1.1M)$5 · $0.00
MatricideJennifer Burke8h 45m4.4 (478)$23
The Complete NovelsNathaniel Hawthorne104h 45m4.4 (578)$2 · $0.00
Democracy, an American novelHenry Adams7h 40m3.6 (1.5K)$2 · $0.00
Court of LionsJane Johnson13h 33m3.7 (1.5K)$23