Cousin Pons

<p><I>Cousin Pons</I> (1847) is a novel by French author Honor�� de Balzac. One of the final works in Balzac's <I>La Com��die humaine</I> sequence <I>Cousin Pons</I> originally began as a novella before being extended to the length of a novel. It serves as both a beautiful meditation on the nature of Platonic male friendship and a vitriolic condemnation of the vanity and greed of the French bourgeoisie. In typical fashion however Balzac also turns a critical eye to the lower class ensuring his uniquely holistic vision of French society spares no one-and leaves no stone unturned.</p><p>When he isn't performing with a Parisian boulevard orchestra Sylvain Pons can be found in deep conversation with his good friend Wilhelm Schmucke admiring his collection of paintings or enjoying a gourmet meal with his cousins M. and Mme. Camusot de Marville whose food he greatly prefers to that of his landlady's Mme. Cibot. Pons' life and company are of little interest to anyone other than his friend Wilhelm-by family and acquaintances he is treated at best with tolerance and at worst with disdain. After failing to find a suitable match for their daughter C��cile-which Pons attempts as a form of repayment for his shared meals with the Camusots-his cousins dispel him from their home and lives for good. But when they discover the value of his art collection-as do Mme. Cibot and several shady characters of the lower classes-a mad scramble ensues that threatens Sylvain Pons' gentle nature as well as his life.</p><p><I>Cousin Pons</I> a subtle and underrated novel by Honor�� de Balzac takes an unforgiving look at the consequences of greed as well exposes the imbalance between the economic and aesthetic values of art.</p><p>This edition of Honor�� de Balzac's <I>Cousin Pons</I> is a classic of French literature reimagined for modern readers.</p> <p>Since our inception in 2020 <b>Mint Editions</b> has kept sustainability and innovation at the forefront of our mission. Each and every Mint Edition title gets a fresh professionally typeset manuscript and a dazzling new cover all while maintaining the integrity of the original book.</p> <p>With thousands of titles in our collection we aim to spotlight diverse public domain works to help them find modern audiences. Mint Editions celebrates a breadth of literary works curated from both canonical and overlooked classics from writers around the globe.</p>