Honoré de Balzac

"Little French Masterpieces" by Honoré de Balzac is a compilation of short narratives written in the early 1800s that demonstrates his extraordinary writing abilities, giving people a look into the complexities of human nature at the time. The beginning delves into creativity, personal goals, and complicated relationships, with characters like the young artist Nicolas Poussin and the mysterious Frenhofer, who wrestle with who they are as artists and how they relate to others, as Poussin seeks to learn from the enigmatic master, the story hints at struggles with artistic integrity and personal sacrifice, delicately balancing art and humanity, ambition and love, and foreshadowing the significant themes that will emerge across Balzac's stories.