Questions About Cousin Bette

Reader Q&A

To ask other readers questions about Cousin Bette, please sign up.

Answered Questions (2)

I really want to try Balzac. Which book should I begin reading first?

Yana Stajno I'm reading Cousin Bette. It's a fascinating study of spite. It's also a study of the layers of societal structures in the post-Napoleonic era. I woul…moreI'm reading Cousin Bette. It's a fascinating study of spite. It's also a study of the layers of societal structures in the post-Napoleonic era. I would recommend it as a foray into Balzac. (less)

flag

This question contains spoilers... (view spoiler)

Gary Inbinder This had me stumped, too. It makes no sense within the context of the novel. However, I could find no reference to it in the edition I read or in a cu…moreThis had me stumped, too. It makes no sense within the context of the novel. However, I could find no reference to it in the edition I read or in a cursory search of the internet. However, I did find a clue in Wikipedia:

"Balzac's usual mode of revision involved vast, complicated edits made to galley proofs he received from the printer. When creating La Cousine Bette, however, he submitted the work to his editor piece by piece, without viewing a single proof.[15] The book was serialized in Le Constitutionnel from 8 October to 3 December, and Balzac rushed to keep up with the newspaper's rapid printing schedule. He produced an average of eight pages each day, but was struck by the unexpected enormity of the story as it evolved."

I'm a writer, and I've made similar errors that were corrected after reading the proofs. Balzac was writing under tremendous pressure and he had no time to review proofs or make necessary changes before going to press. So, I'll make a semi-educated guess. This is an error in the narrative that was never corrected in Balzac's lifetime and has persisted in most(?) editions for more than 150 years. Of course, I'll defer to a Balzac scholar, or anyone else for that matter, who can come up with a better explanation. (less)

flag

Unanswered Questions

About Goodreads Q&A

Ask and answer questions about books!

You can pose questions to the Goodreads community with Reader Q&A, or ask your favorite author a question with Ask the Author.

See Featured Authors Answering Questions

Learn more