Eugenie Grandet

The story centers on Eugénie, a kind-hearted young woman living under the oppressive rule of her miserly father, Félix Grandet, in provincial France. When her cousin Charles arrives, bringing tales of Parisian glamour and emotional turmoil, Eugénie experiences love for the first time. However, her devotion is met with betrayal as Charles succumbs to greed and societal pressures. Balzac paints a vivid portrait of family dynamics, materialism, and sacrifice, critiquing the destructive power of wealth and selfishness. With poignant detail, the novel explores themes of innocence, resilience, and the enduring impact of love amidst moral decay.