Honore de Balzac, His Life and Writings

"Honore de Balzac, His Life and Writings" by Mary Frances Sandars is a biography from the early 1900s that traces the life of the famous French novelist, showing his complicated personality and eventful life. It emphasizes his personal life, looking at his relationships and how they affected his work, especially his great respect for Madame Hanska. The story begins by acknowledging the limited real information about the novelist available, despite the many literary reviews that exist. It emphasizes the many opposing elements that come to define the writer, detailing how he changed from a young person studying law to a struggling author in Paris. His commitment to writing, even when money was tight, is presented early, as are the strong feelings he experienced, ranging from happiness to sadness, and his desire for love, money, and fame.