The Elixir of Life: Classic Book Guide and Free Edition
The Elixir of Life: author and translator credits, catalogue synopsis, subjects and links to the Gutenberg reading formats.

The Elixir of Life is catalogued by Project Gutenberg with author credits for Balzac, Honoré de (1799–1850). The listed translation credits are Bell, Clara (1834–1927); Waring, James.
Catalogue synopsis
Project Gutenberg supplies this automated synopsis of the opening text:
"The Elixir of Life" by Honoré de Balzac is a short story published in 1830. Set in 16th-century Italy and Spain, it follows Don Juan Belvidero, who receives from his dying father a mysterious liquid that can restore life. When Juan disobeys his father's final instructions, he sets in motion a dark chain of events involving forbidden knowledge, debauchery, and atheism. Years later, his own deathbed command to his devout son leads to a horrifying miracle that shocks an entire community.
Book and edition facts
- Title: The Elixir of Life
- Author credits: Balzac, Honoré de (1799–1850)
- Catalogue language: English
- Translator credits: Bell, Clara (1834–1927); Waring, James
Catalogue subjects
- French fiction -- Translations into English
Gutenberg collections
- Category: French Literature
- Category: Philosophy & Ethics
- Category: Science-Fiction & Fantasy
- Category: Short Stories
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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.


