Cousin Bette

By: Honoré de Balzac

Narrated by: Johanna Ward

The Bette referred to in this magnificent novel's title is Lisbeth Fischer, an excruciatingly cunning poor relation who both depends upon and nurses a terrible grudge against the family of her beautiful cousin, Adeline. That family is slowly being ruined by the uncontrollable sexual appetites of Adeline's husband, Baron Hulot - appetites that will, in time, give Cousin Bette opportunity to exact her vengeance.

Balzac described Cousin Bette as one of his "scenes of Parisian life", and it is certainly that. It offers us a hypnotic vision of that infinitely varied city during the bright, vital, scandalous, and sexually untrammeled era of King Louis-Philippe. The courtesans, swindlers, bankers, artists, murderers, detectives, and saints populating this world pass before us invested with a verve and vividness unsurpassed in the history of the novel.

(P)1999 Blackstone Audio Inc.

Doing justice to Balzac

Johanna Ward reads this book beautifully! She clearly has excellent control of both French and English and it shows! Thanks!

a bit sad

I wanted to read this book because I loved the movie. I am sorely disappointed.

I can see why Karl Marx loved Balzac now...

"I have learned more than from all the professed historians, economists, and statisticians of the period together," said Karl Marx of his reading of Balzac. And it's not hard to see why! Cousin Bette, at any rate, is an excellent work and I'm glad I finally made my way to reading one of Balzac's novels. But good lord--these novels are not for the squeamish! The depiction of the degeneracy of the bourgeoisie in this novel is astonishing for its cynicism. Having just gone through a period of reading to P.G. Wodehouse and Angela Thirkell I have definitely gone from the light geniuses to a dark one! Still, the novel is brilliant and you would not regret reading such a minutely-drawn chronicle of Paris in the 1830s and 40s.

Vendetta, 'Cross and Double Cross'; very relevant

First Balzac novel I've read. Thought it was WONDERFUL!
A tale of vindictiveness and revenge - played within and without family dynamics.

Balzac has a very fine (interesting) narrative tone - and his commentary on society is usually 'spot on' - after considering when it was published ~1846.

Story of a 'Poor Cousin' - who was always subservient to the larger family - they befriend her - she 'befriends' them; while plotting their downplay. Cross-Double Cross-Triple Cross.

Balzac's social commentary just as relevant now as when it was written.

Balzac's social commentary is "on a par" with that of Edith Wharton (Custom of the Country, House of Mirth and Age of Innocence)....

Highly recommended.

Carl Gallozzi
[e-mail]

A true masterpiece!!

I have found a new favorite author! My first Balzac work. Absolutely loved it! What a titan of thought! And Kate Reading is superb, as always.

Classical Realism

A pretty good novel. Balzac draws a picture of the Paris of the 1800's with much accuracy and detail. Characters you love and others you hate.
You really got to put the 1800's chip on, because women's treatment, attitude, etc , does exasperate quite a bit.
And the reader, great!

wow, were women ever this stupid?

I can't imagine any woman letting this happen for to their family. it is a great story for showing stupidity.

Mesmerizing

This book falls into the category of "can't put it down." I found it to be fascinating and captivating, all of the characters are rich. I found that I had to really listen and pay attention, especially in the beginning, but once I was hooked it was most rewarding. The narrator does an exceptional job. You will think about this story even when you are not listening to it.

A morale tale of greed, envy, and vice.

I don't know. Though it seems like a good topic roster to listen to, I had trouble staying interested at times. Maybe it was the reading.

Truly classic

Great narration
Excellent braided subplots
Beautifully realized historical and literary detail.
Skip the intro-dull and off putting.