Repertory of The Comedie Humaine, Complete, A — Z

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

17635

Title

Repertory of The Comedie Humaine, Complete, A — Z

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

This essential companion to Balzac's *Comédie Humaine* alphabetically catalogs nearly two thousand characters, tracing their biographies, relationships, and fates across the author's vast fictional universe. Serving as a definitive civil register for the novel's society, this repertory clarifies recurring figures, resolves title confusion, and offers indispensable context for readers navigating Balzac's intricate world of human nature and social ambition.

Summary up to 500 words

Compiled by Anatole Cerfberr and Jules François Christophe, the *Repertory of the Comédie Humaine* stands as the definitive civil register for Honoré de Balzac's vast literary universe. This monumental work functions as an indispensable tool for navigating the interconnected novels of the *Comédie Humaine*, systematically listing approximately two thousand characters and providing detailed biographies that track individuals from birth to death. The volume addresses the unique challenge of Balzac's shifting titles and recurring protagonists, such as Rastignac, who evolves from a law student in *Le Père Goriot* to a minister and peer of France. Without the aid of the Repertory, tracing such a career would be nearly impossible for any reader who has not consumed the entire collection. The text clarifies complex family trees, resolves discrepancies in publication history, and contextualizes minor figures within the broader social tapestry of 19th-century France. By organizing this vast literary society alphabetically, the authors transform a chaotic collection of stories into a coherent, living world where every individual, from the wealthy banker Nucingen to the impoverished musician Pons, finds their place in the grand design. The Repertory serves both new readers seeking orientation and seasoned enthusiasts wishing to recall specific adventures and emotional arcs. The authors, described as faithful disciples of the master, combined Christophe's painstaking method with Cerfberr's accurate memory and passionate faith in Balzac's genius. Their collaboration was originally inspired by the late Albert Allenet, a fervent Balzacian who envisioned a similar project. The work is praised by the French Academy and serves as a necessary adjunct to the great Balzacian structure, offering a parallel to the civil register. It details the local coloring, professions, and financial realities of the characters, ensuring that the biographies seem no more than simple justice to the multitude of personages Balzac created. While some episodes predating the eighteenth century or dealing with the supernatural are omitted, the Repertory remains a comprehensive guide to the two thousand characters that constitute Balzac's epic vision of society.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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Categories

• Classics
• Biography