Sarrasine

<p><I>Sarrasine</I> (1831) is a novella by French author Honor�� de Balzac. Written as part of his <I>La Com��die humaine</I> sequence <I>Sarrasine</I> is one of Balzac's earliest works published without a pseudonym and helped to establish his reputation as a serious writer and distinguished member of Parisian high society. Noted for its controversial exploration of homosexuality and castration Balzac's novella would become the subject of Roland Barthe's groundbreaking work of literary criticism <I>S/Z</I> (1970).</p><p>Composed as a frame narrative <I>Sarrasine</I> begins during a ball at the mansion of the wealthy Monsieur de Lanty. The unnamed narrator from a window overlooking the garden listens to the conversations of partygoers and watches as his guest Beatrix Rochefide is approached by a mysterious older man. The next night the narrator tells Beatrix a story involving the man a respected member of de Lanty's circle. He begins with the life of Ernest-Jean Sarrasine a successful young sculptor who on a trip to Rome fell in love with an opera star named Zambinella. Convinced she represents the ideal feminine form he rejects Zambinella's misgivings and vague excuses becoming increasingly obsessed with the beautiful singer. Devising a plan to kidnap Zambinella during a party at the French embassy Sarrasine discovers the truth: the singer is a castrato a classical operatic performer who was selected and castrated before puberty. <I>Sarrasine</I> a powerful novella explores themes of idealization and obsession while illuminating the conflation of sex and gender.</p><p>With a beautifully designed cover and professionally typeset manuscript this edition of Honor�� de Balzac's <I>Sarrasine</I> is a classic of French literature reimagined for modern readers.</p>