Old Goriot
About this audiobook
Balzac's universally loved novel explores the great theme of money and its effect on the human character. Old Goriot is a lodger at Madame Vanquer's Parisian boardinghouse. At first, his wealth inspires respect, but as his circumstances are reduced, he is gradually shunned by the others. He moves into smaller and less desirable rooms in the house, and soon his only remaining visitors are two beautiful young women. The mystery as to who they are and what is happening to Goriot's fortune involves several other boarders, including Eugene Rastignac, an ambitious youth who hopes to rise in society.
With its complicities and alliances, mysteries and betrayals, passions and ambitions, the house becomes a microcosm of the grasping Parisian society of the 1820s—a perfect setting for Balzac's masterful portrayal of la com├®die humaine, the whole comedic parade of human life.
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About the author
Honoré de Balzac (Tours, 1799-París, 1850) es uno de los novelistas más relevantes de la primera mitad del siglo XIX francés. Trabajador incansable y escritor prolífico por excelencia, elaboró un ciclo de varias decenas de novelas agrupadas bajo el título de La comedia humana, con la intención de reflejar y describir en detalle la sociedad de su tiempo. De su enorme obra destacamos La piel de zapa (1831), El médico de aldea (1833), Eugénie Grandet (1833), Papá Goriot (1834), César Birotteau (1837) o Las ilusiones perdidas (1837-1843).
Frederick Davidson (1932–2005), also known as David Case, was one of the most prolific readers in the audiobook industry, recording more than eight hundred audiobooks in his lifetime, including over two hundred for Blackstone Audio. Born in London, he trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art and performed for many years in radio plays for the British Broadcasting Company before coming to America in 1976. He received AudioFile’s Golden Voice Award and numerous Earphones Awards and was nominated for a Grammy for his readings.
