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Cousin Bette cover art

Cousin Bette

Written by: Honoré de Balzac
Narrated by: Johanna Ward
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Publisher's Summary

The Bette referred to in this magnificent novel's title is Lisbeth Fischer, an excruciatingly cunning poor relation who both depends upon and nurses a terrible grudge against the family of her beautiful cousin, Adeline. That family is slowly being ruined by the uncontrollable sexual appetites of Adeline's husband, Baron Hulot - appetites that will, in time, give Cousin Bette opportunity to exact her vengeance.

Balzac described Cousin Bette as one of his "scenes of Parisian life", and it is certainly that. It offers us a hypnotic vision of that infinitely varied city during the bright, vital, scandalous, and sexually untrammeled era of King Louis-Philippe. The courtesans, swindlers, bankers, artists, murderers, detectives, and saints populating this world pass before us invested with a verve and vividness unsurpassed in the history of the novel.

(P)1999 Blackstone Audio Inc.

Featured Article: Top Ten Best French Authors on Audible Canada

Few countries have housed writers whose works are as enduring and celebrated as the French. From Victor Hugo, Voltaire, Marcel Proust, and Emile Zola, to heartwarming French Canadian tales by Gabrielle Roy and Rich Carrier, French authors have brought us some of the best stories throughout the decades. This list looks at some of the best works from classic French writers and Canadian favourites alike, exploring the importance of French literature and the French voice. Each of these works has been translated from française and is performed for English-speaking audiences while maintaining the famous French style that makes these short stories, novels and audiobooks the classics that they are.

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