Honoré de Balzac

The novel sequence La Comédie humaine offers a detailed exploration of post-Napoleonic French society through Balzac's keen observation and unfiltered realism. His characters, rich in complexity and moral ambiguity, reflect the intricacies of human nature, while even inanimate objects gain personality, particularly the vibrant city of Paris. Balzac's influential style has left a lasting impact on notable writers and filmmakers, cementing his status as a foundational figure in European literature.