Parisians in the Country

audiobook

Parisians in the Country

by Honoré de Balzac

EN·~7 hours·13 chapters

Chapters

13 total

THE ILLUSTRIOUS GAUDISSART, and THE MUSE OF THE DEPARTMENT

0:03

By Honore De Balzac

0:01

INTRODUCTION

6:42

THE ILLUSTRIOUS GAUDISSART

0:01

Translated By Katharine Prescott Wormeley

0:05

CHAPTER I

19:33

CHAPTER II

15:47

CHAPTER III

16:10

CHAPTER IV

24:41

CHAPTER V

9:57

Description

In this lively tale a smooth‑talking Parisian salesman arrives in a sleepy provincial town, convinced his gift for persuasion can turn any local curiosity into profit. His confidence and quick wit clash with the villagers’ earthy habits, producing a series of comic misunderstandings that reveal both the folly of vanity and the stubborn charm of country life. As he pitches wares and grand promises, the townspeople respond with a mix of admiration, suspicion, and a surprising generosity that keeps the pace bright and the dialogue sparkling.

The story also introduces an irascible literary critic, a colorful rival whose sharp tongue and exaggerated self‑importance add a layer of satire to the social dance. Their exchanges, filled with biting observations on fashion, taste, and ambition, paint a vivid portrait of a France caught between tradition and the restless energy of the capital. Listeners are treated to a keen eye for character and an ability to turn everyday encounters into a mirror that reflects both the absurd and the human.

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Details

Language

en

Duration

~7 hours (449K characters)

Publisher of text edition

Project Gutenberg

Credits

Produced by John Bickers, David Widger, and Dagny

Release date

2005-04-01

Rights

Public domain in the USA.

About the author

Honoré de Balzac

Honoré de Balzac

1799–1850

Best known for building La Comédie humaine, he turned novels into a sweeping portrait of French society—full of ambition, money, love, and social climbing. His stories are rich in detail, vivid characters, and the sharp observations that helped shape modern realism.

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