Lost Illusions

According to George Sand Balzac [was] the master unsurpassed in the art of depicting humanity as it exists in modern society. He looked everywhere and risked everything.Perhaps more than any other of Balzac's ninety-two novels Lost Illusions which was written between 1837 and 1843 displays the character and range of his creativity. A beautifully realistic and audaciously scathing portrayal of rural manners and aristocratic life is painted by the story of Lucien Chardon a young poet from Angoulême who struggles mightily to establish himself in Paris. Lucien is patronised by the beau world personified by Madame de Bargeton and her powerful cousin the Marquise d'Espard only to be tricked by them. Lucien is handsome and ambitious but naive.