The Celibates: Classic Book Guide and Free Edition
The Celibates: author and translator credits, catalogue synopsis, subjects and links to the Gutenberg reading formats.
The Celibates is catalogued by Project Gutenberg with author credits for Balzac, Honoré de (1799–1850). The listed translation credits are Wormeley, Katharine Prescott (1830–1908).
Catalogue synopsis
Project Gutenberg supplies this automated synopsis of the opening text:
"The Celibates" by Honoré de Balzac is a novel written in the early 19th century that explores themes of loneliness and societal roles through the lives of various single characters. The book centers on the lives of bachelors and old maids, delving into their individual experiences and relationships, particularly focusing on the character Pierrette Lorrain and her cousin, Sylvie Rogron. This work is part of Balzac's broader collection, "Comédie Humaine," which presents a detailed portrayal of French society. At the start of "The Celibates," we are introduced to the precursors of the tale through an exposition that sets the stage for the narrative. The opening chapters describe the peaceful, yet melancholic life in the town of Provins, where a young worker named Brigaut is seen expressing his affection for Pierrette Lorrain, a beautiful girl confined by her circumstances. As we learn about the Rogrons, Pierrette's new guardians, their self-serving motivations and reluctance to accept Pierrette into their home paint a grim picture of familial dynamics and societal expectations. The text sets the groundwork for a poignant exploration of the trials faced by these celibates, particularly Pierrette, as they navigate their constrained lives filled with secrets, ambitions, and the harsh realities of their social standings.
Book and edition facts
- Title: The Celibates
- Author credits: Balzac, Honoré de (1799–1850)
- Catalogue language: English
- Translator credits: Wormeley, Katharine Prescott (1830–1908)
Catalogue subjects
- Celibacy -- Fiction
- France -- Fiction
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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