Old Man Goriot by Honore de Balzac (Penguin Classics)

“Old Man Goriot” (French: Le Père Goriot) is a novel written by the renowned French author Honoré de Balzac. It was first published in 1835 and is part of Balzac’s larger work, La Comédie Humaine, a series of interconnected novels and stories that offer a panoramic view of French society in the early 19th century.

The novel is set in Paris and revolves around the lives of various characters who reside in a boarding house run by Madame Vauquer. The titular character, Monsieur Goriot, is an elderly and wealthy retired merchant who lives at the boarding house in relative poverty. Despite his financial struggles, Goriot lavishes attention and money on his two daughters, Delphine and Anastasie, who are married to aristocratic men.

The story follows the intertwining fates of Goriot, his daughters, and other residents of the boarding house, including Eugène de Rastignac, a young law student from the provinces who aspires to climb the social ladder in Paris. As Rastignac becomes entangled in the intrigues and scandals of Parisian society, he forms a close bond with Goriot and witnesses firsthand the sacrifices and betrayals that result from the pursuit of wealth, power, and social status.

“Old Man Goriot” is celebrated for its richly detailed portrayal of characters, its incisive critique of social mores and class distinctions, and its exploration of themes such as love, ambition, and the human condition. Balzac’s vivid prose and keen insight into human nature make the novel a compelling and enduring work of literature that continues to resonate with readers to this day.