Used Book – Eugénie Grandet, Honoré de Balzac

“Everything is grand in this famous novel, yet nothing moves. Eugenie is a kind of saint in human terms, always faithful to a single thought, yet completely natural. [...] Eugenie is the primary character in this drama of love. [...] In Grandet, this rock-like Grandet, there is a source of moving tenderness, when he hides to watch his daughter at her toilette. [...] Conversely, one will find in Eugenie all the stratagems of the heart, and true courage to confront the terrible man with leather gloves. Everything has been said about Grandet. Less noticed is the word 'queen' when Eugenie finds herself mistress of an immense fortune and besieged by intrigues. She replies:

"We'll see about that" just as her father did. [...] Thus Grandet's soul is ultimately saved. Balzac plows the earth.”

Alain, Remarks on Balzac.

Introduction and notes by Martine Reid.