The Exiles

"The Exiles" by Honoré de Balzac is a story that takes place in 14th century Paris, where love, exile, and finding oneself are big ideas. The book paints a picture of what life was like back then, showing the culture and politics of the time. The main character, Godefroid, who is a young man trying to find his place in the world, is considering ending his life because he believes he's an angel who was kicked out of heaven. He winds up meeting the Exile, an old, mysterious man who understands love, suffering, and what's divine. This wise, older man shares his knowledge while living as a scholar during tough times. Also, the Comtesse de Mahaut is a protector of Godefroid who acts like a mother and shares the truth about who he is. Facing desires and battles during a time of big changes and spiritual questions, the characters discover what it means to be human and the big search to find where one belongs.