Splendors and Miseries of Courtesans

The novel “Splendors and Miseries of Courtesans” is one of the most famous works by the French writer Honoré de Balzac, and is part of the cycle “The Human Comedy.” In the novel, the author explores the life of Parisian high society and its hidden side, recounting the story of the courtesan Esther and her beloved Lucien de Rubempré. The work reveals social contrasts with astonishing depth, showing both the brilliant life of expensive courtesans and their tragic fates.