Le colonel Chabert

Autorentext

Honoré de Balzac was born into a family which aspired to achieve respectability through its industry and efforts. His father, born Bernard-François Balssa, was one of eleven children from an artisan family in Tarn, a region in the south of France. In 1760 he set off for Paris with only a Louis coin in his pocket, intent on improving his social standing; by 1776 he had become Secretary to the King's Council and a Freemason (he had also changed his name to the more noble sounding Balzac, his son later adding without official recognition the nobiliary particle: de). After the Reign of Terror (1793 94), François Balzac was despatched to Tours to coordinate supplies for the Army.

Klappentext

"Le Colonel Chabert" is a novella written by the renowned French novelist Honoré de Balzac. It is part of his larger body of work known as "La Comédie Humaine," which provides a comprehensive depiction of French society in the 19th century. The story revolves around the character of Colonel Chabert, a military officer who was declared dead during the Napoleonic Wars. However, Chabert survived but had his identity erased. After returning to France, he faces the challenge of reintegrating into a society that no longer recognizes him, both in terms of his military rank and his social status. The novella explores themes of identity, the consequences of war, and the complexities of human relationships. "Le Colonel Chabert" is celebrated for its portrayal of the struggles and disillusionment faced by veterans and its commentary on the social and legal injustices of the time.