Honore de Balzac: Biography and Creativity in Brief

One of the greatest prose writers of the XIX century is O. de Balzac. The biography of this writer is in no way inferior to the violent adventures of the characters he created. Until now, the world is interested in his personal life.

Bitter Childhood

The founder of realism was born May 20, 1799, in the city of Tours, which is located in the center of France. The prose writer came from a simple but enterprising family. Father, a local lawyer, Bernard François Balssa bought up and resold the lands of the ruined nobles. This business brought him a profit. This was the reason that he changed his name and boasted of his kinship with the popular writer Jean-Louis Gues de Balzac, to whom he had nothing to do.

Later he acquired the noble prefix "de". Bernard married a girl, Anne-Charlotte-Laura Salambie, who was 30 years younger than him. Mother Honore comes from an aristocratic family. The woman was freedom-loving and did not hide her novels. From the ties on the side appeared the writer's brother, who was Anna's favorite. And the future writer was given a wet nurse. After that he lived in a boarding house.

In the house, where the first place was set by everyone except the family, the boy was not easy. Little attention in childhood was received by Honore de Balzac. Biography is briefly described in some of his works. The problems that he experienced when he was young were later present in his works.

Failed lawyer

Apparently, the genius inherited the main features of the parents, because in the future they were clearly expressed in his character. At the request of his father and mother, his son was sent to Vendome College, where he studied law. The institution was distinguished by a strict discipline, which the boy constantly tore. For this he earned the reputation of a slacker and robber. There the child discovered the world of the book. At the age of 12 he first tried himself as a writer. Then all his classmates mocked his works.

Due to constant stress and lack of attention, the child fell ill. His parents took him home. The guy was sick for several years. Many doctors did not give a guarantee that the child would live. Nevertheless, he got out.

The young man continued to study the case of a lawyer in Paris, where his parents moved. In law school he studies in 1816 - 1819 years. At the same time he works as a notary. But really he was attracted only by the world of literature. Balzac stretched towards him. The biography might have been different, but the parents decided to support the son's enthusiasm and give him a chance.

First love

Father promised to support Honore for two years. During this time the young man had to prove that he could work in the chosen direction. During this time, the future talent was actively working, but none of his works were taken seriously. The first tragedy "Cromwell" was mercilessly condemned. In general, until 1823 he wrote about 20 volumes. Later, the writer himself called his early works a complete mistake.

From time to time the young man traveled from Paris to the province where his parents moved. There he met Laura de Berni. Closely intertwined with this woman is his biography. Balzac Honore, who received a minimum of motherly affection, found in the arms of Madame (older than him for 20 years) warmth and tenderness. Unhappy in her family life, with six children in her arms, she became his love and support.

When it was time to report to relatives for the two years that they financed his hobby, Balzac had nothing to give. All attempts to break into the world of the word failed. Therefore, the family denied him money.

Habit of the businessman

Since childhood, the master of words has dreamed of making money indecently. While the literature was not developing, the prose writer was trying to make money. First he issues one-volume editions of classics. Also organizes the publishing house. Then he goes to Sardinia to find in the mines the silver of the ancient Romans. Another plan that did not justify itself - the cultivation of pineapples near Paris. Complex and fantastic business schemes full of biography Balzac. Briefly describe all his plans can be in one word - a fiasco.

From the failures of already large debts have grown even more. From prison for bills he was saved by his mother, who partially repaid loans.

During the long period of his life, the genius was haunted by poverty. So, one night a thief got into his simple apartment. He groped for something that could be stolen. The owner, who was at that time in the room, did not lose his head and said: "It is in vain that you search in the darkness for which I do not even see by the light."

Way to success

Submission was not one of the merits that Honore de Balzac had. The biography of the writer would not cause so many emotions, if not for his unshakable faith in his destiny. The master continued to work, no matter what.

In 1829, the prose writer again took up his pen. He made a tough schedule for himself. I went to bed at 6 pm, woke up at midnight. He wrote all the time. Dozens of pages came out from under his hand. He maintained strength in himself with numerous cups of strong coffee.

Efforts were crowned with success. Fame brought him the historical novel "Shuans." The world did not yet know who Balzac was. The author's biography notes that so far he used various pseudonyms.

Actions in this book occur during the Great French Revolution. Here the talented author skillfully described the struggle of the republican troops with the Shuans.

Further he creates "Scenes of private life", "Elixir of longevity", the story "Gobsek".

The foundation of the main labor

On wings of success the master decides in 1831 to create a series of stories. It had to be a description of the morality of the day. The title is "The Human Comedy." Work began on the scenes of Paris in the 18th and 19th centuries.

Many doors opened before them the name Honore de Balzac. Biography of the man after the lightning-fast popularity has acquired new colors. In the most fashionable salons he was accepted as a respected guest. There the author got acquainted with many heroes of his future works, which were included in the "Human Comedy". The aim of the work was to combine all of your written works in one cycle. He took all the previously published novels and partially changed them. Heroes of different books have acquired among themselves family, friendships and other connections. The epic was to consist of 143 novels. But the Frenchman did not manage to finish the idea to the end.

The highlight was the author's unusual approach to the fate of his characters, because they were born, grew up, fell in love, married and raised children in pages of volumes.

Theory of Comedy

"Unsurpassed novelist" - that's what name Balzac got from critics. The biography of the writer is forever associated with the "Human Comedy". It consists of three parts. The first and the widest, which included previous work - "Studies of morals." Here the audience meets with the miser Gobsek, the disinterested father of Gorio, the French officer Shaber. The second section is "Philosophical". He helps the reader to talk about the meaning of life. Here came the novel "Shagreen Skin". The third part - "Analytical Studies." The books in this fragment are highlighted by excessive reflections, and sometimes put the story in the background.

Full of curious situations, Balzac's biography. Creativity was profitable, but did not cover all expenses and past debts. There is a story that the author went to his editor weekly to ask for an advance on future fees. The chief was distinguished by avarice, so he rarely gave out money. One day the writer, as always, came for a payment, but the secretary said that today the owner does not accept. To which Balzac replied that he did not care, the main thing was that the head gave money.

Women of the Balzac age

Unappealing in appearance, Honore still conquered many ladies. They were amazed by the fuse and passion with which the prose writer spoke. Therefore, all the free time from writing the man spent with numerous mistresses. His attention was sought by many noble ladies, but often in vain. Balzac loved women of "elegant" age. The biography of the writer is full of romantic adventures. Their heroines became ladies who are far beyond 30. He described such individuals in his works.

The most popular was the character of the novel "The Thirty Years Woman". The main figure is Julie's girl. Through this image the author clearly conveys the psychology of the fair sex. It is because of this work that the expression "a woman of Balzac's age" was born, that is, a lady from 30 to 40 years old.

A dream come true

Love plays a big role in a person's life. The Polish Countess Evelina Ghana became the greatest passion that Honore de Balzac had ever felt. The biography briefly describes their acquaintance. The woman, like hundreds of other female fans, sent a confession to the writer. The man answered. The correspondence began. For a long time they met secretly.

Evelina refused to leave her husband and marry a prose writer. Relations continued for 17 years. She became free when she was widowed. Then the couple got married. This happened in May 1850, in the Ukrainian city of Berdichev. But Balzac had no time to enjoy the marriage life. He was seriously ill for a long time and died the same year on August 18, in Paris.

Master crafted each of his heroes. He was not afraid to make their life not only bright, but also realistic. That's why Balzac's characters are still interesting to the reader.