Sarrasine - Paperback

Sarrasine is a novella written by Honore De Balzac, originally published in 1830. The story follows the life of a young sculptor named Sarrasine, who becomes infatuated with a singer named La Zambinella. However, Sarrasine's obsession with La Zambinella is not what it seems, as he discovers that she is actually a castrato, a male singer who has been castrated to preserve his high-pitched voice. This revelation leads Sarrasine down a path of madness and despair, as he struggles to come to terms with his own desires and the societal norms that have led him to this point.The novella is a classic example of Balzac's realist style, which focuses on the gritty realities of life and the struggles of ordinary people. Through Sarrasine's story, Balzac explores themes of gender, sexuality, and the power dynamics between men and women. The novella also features a cast of colorful characters, including the wealthy and eccentric Countess de Lanty, who becomes Sarrasine's patron and confidante.Overall, Sarrasine is a gripping and thought-provoking tale that delves into the complexities of human desire and the ways in which societal norms can shape our perceptions of ourselves and others.They lowered their voices and walked away in order to talk more at their ease on some retired couch. Never was a more promising mine laid open to seekers after mysteries. No one knew from what country the Lanty family came, nor to what source--commerce, extortion, piracy, or inheritance--they owed a fortune estimated at several millions. All the members of the family spoke Italian, French, Spanish, English, and German.This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.