Lost Illusions- Ève and David cover art

Lost Illusions- Ève and David

Lost Illusions- Ève and David

By: Honoré de Balzac
Listen for free

About this listen

 Step into the world of post-Napoleonic France with Ève and David, the concluding volume of Balzac’s celebrated Lost Illusions trilogy, part of his monumental work, La Comédie Humaine. This gripping narrative follows Lucien Chardon, an aspiring poet, as he navigates the challenges of provincial life in the first volume, Two Poets. In the second volume, A Distinguished Provincial at Paris, Lucien, now adopting the more aristocratic name de Rubempré, seeks his fortune amidst the literary elite of Paris, only to face emotional and financial turmoil. In this final installment, we return to Angoulême, where Luciens sister Ève and her husband David are desperately fighting to keep their printing business afloat against fierce competition. Their struggle is further complicated by Luciens dire financial situation, which spills over into their lives. Balzac’s masterful storytelling and keen insights into human nature make this trilogy a cornerstone of realism in literature, earning its place in the esteemed collection of 1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die. (Summary by Bruce Pirie)Copyright Fiction Classics Art Literary History & Criticism Social Sciences
Episodes
  • 020 - Chapter 20

    020 - Chapter 20
    Feb 20 2026
    Step into the world of post-Napoleonic France with Ève and David, the concluding volume of Balzac’s celebrated Lost Illusions trilogy, part of his monumental work, La Comédie Humaine. This gripping narrative follows Lucien Chardon, an aspiring poet, as he navigates the challenges of provincial life in the first volume, Two Poets. In the second volume, A Distinguished Provincial at Paris, Lucien, now adopting the more aristocratic name de Rubempré, seeks his fortune amidst the literary elite of Paris, only to face emotional and financial turmoil. In this final installment, we return to Angoulême, where Luciens sister Ève and her husband David are desperately fighting to keep their printing business afloat against fierce competition. Their struggle is further complicated by Luciens dire financial situation, which spills over into their lives. Balzac’s masterful storytelling and keen insights into human nature make this trilogy a cornerstone of realism in literature, earning its place in the esteemed collection of 1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die. (Summary by Bruce Pirie)
    Show More Show Less
    16 mins
  • 019 - Chapter 19

    019 - Chapter 19
    Feb 20 2026
    Step into the world of post-Napoleonic France with Ève and David, the concluding volume of Balzac’s celebrated Lost Illusions trilogy, part of his monumental work, La Comédie Humaine. This gripping narrative follows Lucien Chardon, an aspiring poet, as he navigates the challenges of provincial life in the first volume, Two Poets. In the second volume, A Distinguished Provincial at Paris, Lucien, now adopting the more aristocratic name de Rubempré, seeks his fortune amidst the literary elite of Paris, only to face emotional and financial turmoil. In this final installment, we return to Angoulême, where Luciens sister Ève and her husband David are desperately fighting to keep their printing business afloat against fierce competition. Their struggle is further complicated by Luciens dire financial situation, which spills over into their lives. Balzac’s masterful storytelling and keen insights into human nature make this trilogy a cornerstone of realism in literature, earning its place in the esteemed collection of 1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die. (Summary by Bruce Pirie)
    Show More Show Less
    22 mins
  • 018 - Chapter 18

    018 - Chapter 18
    Feb 20 2026
    Step into the world of post-Napoleonic France with Ève and David, the concluding volume of Balzac’s celebrated Lost Illusions trilogy, part of his monumental work, La Comédie Humaine. This gripping narrative follows Lucien Chardon, an aspiring poet, as he navigates the challenges of provincial life in the first volume, Two Poets. In the second volume, A Distinguished Provincial at Paris, Lucien, now adopting the more aristocratic name de Rubempré, seeks his fortune amidst the literary elite of Paris, only to face emotional and financial turmoil. In this final installment, we return to Angoulême, where Luciens sister Ève and her husband David are desperately fighting to keep their printing business afloat against fierce competition. Their struggle is further complicated by Luciens dire financial situation, which spills over into their lives. Balzac’s masterful storytelling and keen insights into human nature make this trilogy a cornerstone of realism in literature, earning its place in the esteemed collection of 1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die. (Summary by Bruce Pirie)
    Show More Show Less
    27 mins
No reviews yet
In the spirit of reconciliation, Audible acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.