Description: In his enormous body of work French writer Honore de Balzac (1799-1850) created a vast, multi-faceted fictional tapestry that captured French society of his day with remarkable insight and flair. Perhaps best known for his great novels, Balzac was also a master of the short story, as demonstrated by the three highly regarded selections in this volume. Newly translated by Stanley Appelbaum, they include the title story, a probing examination of the conflict between an artist's commitment to his work and his obligations to others (a subject particularly close to Balzac's heart); "An Episode During the Terror, " written in 1830, but set in France's Revolutionary period, that contrasts material poverty with spiritual riches; and "Facino Cane" in which an old and destitute blind man recounts how his passion for gold led to his fall from grace. A perfect introduction for readers unfamiliar with Balzac's work, this modestly priced edition will also appeal to those already acquainted with the author's much-imitated but unsurpassed style.

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