Le Père Goriot [The Father Goriot] (French)

Le Père Goriot [The Father Goriot] (French)

Balzac, Honoré de

Paris: Charpentier, 1839

Internet Archive

1839

"'The day before yesterday Herbert Spencer dined with us, and there was talk- for the last time, I hope- about my books. We have made a resolution that we will allow no more talk in our own house on the subject. I find it destructive of that repose and simplicity of mind which is the only healthy state in relation to one's books: it has the same effect as talking of one's religion, or one's feelings and duties towards one's father, mother, or husband. We have just finished reading aloud "Pere Goriot" - a hateful book. This evening I am at p. 31 of my 2nd vol. I have been reading lately and have nearly finished Comte's Catechism. We have also read aloud "Tom Brown's School Days" with much disappointment. It is an unpleasant, unveracious book." Diary 1854-1861 81

Balzac, Honoré de, Le Père Goriot [The Father Goriot] (French), George Eliot's Reading, George Eliot Archive, edited by Beverley Park Rilett. https://GeorgeEliotArchive.org, Accessed September 7, 2026. https://georgeeliotarchive.org/items/show/57112

https://georgeeliotarchive.org/files/original/2ee05cae888af1deef68e8e6c690590a.pdf