Catherine De' Medici

Honoré de Balzac (1799 - 1850)
Translated by Katherine Prescott Wormeley (1830 - 1908)

The Philosophical Studies from The Human Comedy (La Comedie Humaine) are a series of works that are intended as a reflection on history in part through the use of fiction. 'Catherine de Medici' is one such 'study', and features, alongside detailed history (and even architectural) sections, elements of the 'story' are fictionalised. In particular, this happens through dialogue that describes the feelings of the characters and what they are doing, these parts in the manner of a novel. In particular, Catherine de Medici (apparently), was depicted by historians as a bad ruler. This book is an attempt to redress that misunderstanding. Catherine de Medici is shown as one of the most powerful rulers of her day, using the intricacies of court to enact measures to improve the situation of her peoples and herself. (Summary by Reader)

Genre(s): Historical Fiction, Early Modern

Language: English

Group: Balzac's Human Comedy

Section Chapter Reader Time
Play 00 Introduction: Part One Edmund Bloxam
00:40:49
Play 01 Introduction: Part Two Edmund Bloxam
00:41:54
Play 02 Book One: The Calvinist Martyr I: A House Which No Longer Exists Edmund Bloxam
00:40:05
Play 03 Book One: The Calvinist Martyr II: The Burghers Edmund Bloxam
00:23:29
Play 04 Book One: The Calvinist Martyr III: The Chateau de Blois Edmund Bloxam
00:24:02
Play 05 Book One: The Calvinist Martyr IV: The Queen Mother Edmund Bloxam
00:23:50
Play 06 Book One: The Calvinist Martyr V: The Court Edmund Bloxam
00:31:27
Play 07 Book One: The Calvinist Martyr VI: The Little Lever of Francois II Edmund Bloxam
00:23:43
Play 08 Book One: The Calvinist Martyr VII: A Drama in a Surcoat Edmund Bloxam
00:17:05
Play 09 Book One: The Calvinist Martyr VIII: Martyrdom Edmund Bloxam
00:24:59
Play 10 Book One: The Calvinist Martyr IX: The Tumult at Amboise Edmund Bloxam
00:25:58
Play 11 Book One: The Calvinist Martyr X: Cosmo Ruggiero Edmund Bloxam
00:27:46
Play 12 Book One: The Calvinist Martyr XI: Ambroise Pare Edmund Bloxam
00:18:56
Play 13 Book One: The Calvinist Martyr XII: The Death of Francois II Edmund Bloxam
00:19:55
Play 14 Book One: The Calvinist Martyr XIII: Calvin Edmund Bloxam
00:37:51
Play 15 Book One: The Calvinist Martyr XIV: Catherine in Power Edmund Bloxam
00:28:55
Play 16 Book One: The Calvinist Martyr XIV: Compensation Edmund Bloxam
00:28:37
Play 17 Book Two: The Secrets of the Ruggieri I: The Court under Charles IX Edmund Bloxam
00:24:52
Play 18 Book Two: The Secrets of the Ruggieri II: Schemes against Schemes Edmund Bloxam
00:51:22
Play 19 Book Two: The Secrets of the Ruggieri III: Marie Touchet Edmund Bloxam
00:24:16
Play 20 Book Two: The Secrets of the Ruggieri IV: The King's Tale Edmund Bloxam
00:17:20
Play 21 Book Two: The Secrets of the Ruggieri V: The Alchemists Edmund Bloxam
00:35:41
Play 22 Book Three: Two Dreams Edmund Bloxam
00:29:32