A minor masterpiece

David McCallion does a very pleasing job of both narrating and voicing a number of characters in Balzac's very modern seeming book. This is a story highly entertaining and with a poigniant and disturbing moral. It is a story written with subtle hilarity and blackest comedy. In brief, Pere Goriot (father Goriot) is the father who loves his two spoiled daughters to a point which nearly fails human understanding. Through his generosity to them he has fallen from millionaire to pauper. They by way of marriage and through his help have attained the titles of Countess and Baroness, but now that he is poor he is an embarrassment to them and they no longer acknowledge him. His family are his fellow boarders in a run down boarding house in the Latin Quarter in Paris where most of the action transpires. This book in it's humour reminded me of Confederacy of Dunces (another great book) it is at once absurdist and highly realistic. I enjoyed it thouroughly and may indeed listen to it again after a while. It was a pure pleasure.

6 people found this helpful

A Significant Novel

In my view, this is one of the 100 best novels, not at the top, but one well worth the attention of all who love serious literature.

The story, its fundamental tragedy, and the remarkably effective social commentary and criticism are of very high quality. And, of course, Balzac is a worthy writer of words and language.

The narrator was good, but, I think, not among the best. His reading of Eugene was, for me, effective, but, less so, for Goriot and the daughters.

In any event, I’m glad I heard it and would recommend it.