The Physiology of Marriage (Vol. 1-3) (Annotated)
Enriched Edition. Complete EditionBy Honoré de Balzac
Length14h 15m
About this audiobook
The Physiology of Marriage (Vol. 1-3) is Balzac's audacious, ironic, and often unsettling "meditation" on conjugal life, adultery, desire, and the social mechanics of bourgeois marriage. Written as a mock-scientific treatise, it blends aphorism, satire, anecdote, and moral analysis, transforming private domestic arrangements into material for sociological scrutiny. Situated at the threshold of Balzac's vast Human Comedy, the work anticipates his lifelong fascination with money, power, gender, and the hidden laws governing modern society. Honoré de Balzac, one of the central architects of nineteenth-century French realism, wrote from intimate knowledge of ambition, debt, salons, journalism, and social performance. His own complicated emotional life and acute observation of Parisian manners inform the book's sharp intelligence. Though its assumptions about women and marriage reflect its age, its theatrical wit and diagnostic energy reveal Balzac's instinct for exposing institutions as systems of negotiation, illusion, and control. This book is recommended for readers interested in the origins of realist social analysis, the history of marriage as a cultural institution, and Balzac's development as a literary anatomist of modern life. It is provocative, historically revealing, and best read with both critical distance and appreciation for its brilliant satirical form.
This enriched edition has been carefully crafted to add value to 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★★★ 3.2 (183)
Includes Goodreads
GenrePsychology
Length14 hrs 15 mins
Narrated byListen with 1,000+ voices
FormateBook with Audio
Publish dateApr 22, 2020
LanguageEnglish
Table of contents
1Fundamental Philosophy (Vol. 1&2) (Annotated)
8Volume 2 (pt. 1)
2Introduction
9Volume 2 (pt. 2)
3Synopsis
10Volume 3 (pt. 1)
4Historical Context
11Volume 3 (pt. 2)
5Author Biography
12Analysis
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6Volume 1 (pt. 1)
13Reflection
7Volume 1 (pt. 2)
14Memorable Quotes
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