The Duchesse of Langeais
Enriched edition. Love, Betrayal, and Intrigue in 19th Century Parisian AristocracyBy Honoré de Balzac
Length6h 50m
About this audiobook
Set against the backdrop of early 19th-century France, Honoré de Balzac's "The Duchesse of Langeais" unravels the intricate social dynamics and romantic entanglements of the Parisian aristocracy. Through masterful character development and rich, descriptive prose, Balzac explores themes of desire, pride, and the consequences of social ambition. The novella exemplifies Balzac's keen insight into human psychology, preserving a vivid portrait of an era marked by societal strictures and personal yearning, encapsulated in the passionate yet elusive relationship between the titular duchess and the mysterious General de Montriveau. Honoré de Balzac (1799-1850) was a pioneering French novelist and playwright, renowned for his ambitious series of interlinked works collectively known as "La Comédie Humaine." His extensive personal experiences with the complexities of Parisian life inspired him to delve into the moral and social fabric of his time. Balzac's familiarity with the aims and aspirations of both the bourgeoisie and aristocracy imbues his narratives with a depth that resonates with readers, making him a key figure in the realist literary tradition. For readers drawn to compelling character studies and keen social commentary, "The Duchesse of Langeais" is an essential exploration of romantic ambition and the subtleties of human relationships. Balzac's nuanced portrayal of love and societal expectations invites readers to reflect on the timeless complexities of passion, making this work an intellectually rewarding experience.
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★★★★ 3.6 (2K)
Includes Goodreads, Amazon, LibraryThing
GenreLiterary Classics, Romance
Length6 hrs 50 mins
Narrated byListen with 1,000+ voices
FormateBook with Audio
Publish dateMay 19, 2021
LanguageEnglish
Table of contents
1Introduction
2Introduction
3Synopsis
4Historical Context
5Author Biography
Show all chaptersShow less
6Translated by Ellen Marriage (pt. 1)
7Translated by Ellen Marriage (pt. 2)
8Translated by Ellen Marriage (pt. 3)
9ADDENDUM
10Analysis
11Reflection
12Memorable Quotes
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
Arctic WitnessHeather Woodhaven5h 46m4.6 (985)$12 · $0.00
Following the TrailLynette Eason6h 35m4.6 (2.3K)$12 · $0.00
Her Duty Bound DefenderSharee Stover6h 30m4.6 (558)$12 · $0.00
Defending from DangerJodie Bailey5h 46m4.6 (588)$24 · $0.00
White HotIlona Andrews13h 18m4.5 (136.9K)$5 · $0.00
Explosive RevengeMaggie K. Black6h 18m4.6 (545)$12 · $0.00
Her Brand of JusticeB.J. Daniels6h 48m4.6 (1.3K)$12 · $0.00
Search And DetectTerri Reed5h 51m4.6 (706)$24 · $0.00
Driving ForceElle James4h 58m4.6 (407)$20 · $0.00
Danger in the WildernessDarlene L. Turner6h 54m4.7 (299)$12 · $0.00
Yukon JusticeDana Mentink6h 15m4.6 (751)$12 · $0.00
The Rogue WarriorCindy Roland Anderson5h 44m4.6 (409)$17 · $0.00
Trail Of ThreatsJessica R. Patch5h 47m4.6 (425)$24 · $0.00
Ironwood, a Fae Universe SeriesAlessa Thorn26h 57m4.6 (835)$30 · $0.00
Ready to ProtectValerie Hansen5h 38m4.6 (981)$24 · $0.00
Searching For EvidenceCarol J. Post6h 21m4.6 (552)$24 · $0.00
New Beginnings at Lullbury BayGeorgia Hill6h 59m4.6 (422)$13 · $0.00
Hiding in MontanaLaura Scott6h 18m4.6 (1K)$12 · $0.00
Christmas K-9 Unit HeroesLenora Worth, Katy Lee5h 51m4.6 (507)$24 · $0.00
Three ComradesErich Maria Remarque15h 50m4.5 (47.3K)$2 · $0.00
You may also like
Daisy Miller (Annotated)Henry James5h 59m3.6 (3.2K)$1.99 · $0.00
The House of MirthEdith Wharton14h 11m4.1 (128.1K)$2.30
Antony and CleopatraWilliam Shakespeare4h 10m4.0 (54.7K)$2 · $0.00
ANNA KARENINA (Collector's Edition)Leo Tolstoy79h 54m4.3 (1.1M)$2 · $0.00
Anna Karenina (Annotated Maude Translation)Leo Tolstoy41h 11m4.3 (999.9K)$1 · $0.00
CamilleAlexandre Dumas, fils7h 59m4.1 (70K)$17
The House of MirthEdith Wharton14h 12m4.1 (130.4K)$2 · $0.00
Letters of Abelard and HeloiseHéloïse4h 49m4.0 (12.9K)Free
Jennie Gerhardt A NovelTheodore Dreiser14h 21m4.1 (4.8K)$2.30
The Lady of the CamelliasAlexandre Dumas fils7h 13m4.2 (70.6K)$1 · $0.00
Antony and CleopatraWilliam Shakespeare3h 22m3.9 (53.4K)$15
The Bride of LammermoorSir Walter Scott14h 20m3.8 (4.2K)$1.20 · $0.00
The DuelAleksandr Kuprin10h 34m4.0 (915)$2.30
Anna Karenina - The Unabridged Garnett Translation (Annotated)Leo Tolstoy38h 34m4.2 (821.5K)$1.99 · $0.00
CamilleAlexandre Dumas fils8h 36m4.1 (74.2K)$2 · $0.00
The AmericanHenry James14h 56m3.8 (10.7K)$1.20 · $0.00
Home of the GentryIvan Turgenev6h 51m3.9 (1.4K)$21 · $0.00
The Bride of LammermoorSir Walter Scott13h 14m3.8 (6.2K)$23
The conquest of RomeMatilde Serao7h 17m$2 · $0.00
Sentimental Education - An Autobiographical Novel (Complete Edition) (Annotated)Gustave Flaubert21h 56m4.3 (12)$2 · $0.00