Melmoth Reconciled: Classic Book Guide and Free Edition
Melmoth Reconciled: author and translator credits, catalogue synopsis, subjects and links to the Gutenberg reading formats.
Melmoth Reconciled is catalogued by Project Gutenberg with author credits for Balzac, Honoré de (1799–1850). The listed translation credits are Marriage, Ellen (1865–1946).
Catalogue synopsis
Project Gutenberg supplies this automated synopsis of the opening text:
"Melmoth Reconciled" by Honoré de Balzac is a novel written during the mid-19th century, exploring themes of morality, ambition, and the consequences of one’s actions. The narrative encapsulates the life of a cashier named Castanier, delving into his internal strife as he grapples with a moral dilemma that culminates in a Faustian pact, raising profound questions about virtue and vice in the context of society's expectations. At the start of the novel, we are introduced to the world of financial institutions in Paris, particularly focusing on the life of Castanier, who is portrayed as a weary and conflicted character caught in a web of deception and desperation. He is depicted in a dimly lit counting house aided only by the flickering light of a lamp, where he ultimately succumbs to temptation by attempting to forge his employer's signature in order to escape his mounting debts. As he contemplates his actions, a mysterious Englishman named Melmoth appears, engaging him in a surreal exchange that emphasizes Castanier's moral deterioration. The opening establishes a rich tapestry of social commentary, highlighting the stark contrast between societal ideals of wealth and integrity, and the personal struggles of those who traverse under its shadow.
Book and edition facts
- Title: Melmoth Reconciled
- Author credits: Balzac, Honoré de (1799–1850)
- Catalogue language: English
- Translator credits: Marriage, Ellen (1865–1946)
Catalogue subjects
- French fiction -- Translations into English
Gutenberg collections
- Category: French Literature
- Category: Novels
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View the complete Gutenberg catalogue record. Project Gutenberg identifies this edition as public domain in the United States; that designation does not establish its copyright status in every country.
Source notes
Catalogue metadata is public domain and is supplied through Gutendex, which imports Gutenberg's machine-readable catalogue. The automated synopsis is source-supplied, not an independently verified review. Author dates above describe the credited people; no ebook release date is presented as the book's original publication date.
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