This volume contains two pieces, the shorter one “Gaudissart the Great”, about a silver-tongued travelling salesman. The second and longer one “The Muse of the Department”, telling the story of a provincial blue-stocking and “Superior Woman”, and her dreams to be make it big in the salons of Paris. Of course, with this being Balzac, various romantic intrigues play out, and much of the narration concerns a study of manners. The stories are put together due to the common theme of the cultural differences between Paris and the Provinces, though written about ten years apart.

Neither are his best stories (he wrote so many!), but there are some quite amusing scenes in both, as well as carefully drawn and interesting characters as you would always expect. ( )

Balzac is very good. I will continue to work through the Balzac on my Kindle. ( )