Cousin Pons

Honoré de Balzac (1799 - 1850)
Translated by Ellen Marriage (1865 - 1946)

Cousin Pons is one of the final works in Balzac's long novel series titled The Human Comedy. It was published in 1847, along with Cousin Betty, as one of a complementary pair of novels, collectively titled Poor Relations. While Cousin Betty tells the story of a bitter woman who seeks revenge on her wealthier relations, in Cousin Pons, Balzac turns to the story of an timid, innocent man who is exploited and victimized by the wealthier members of his extended family.

Balzac offers probing character portraits and an indictment of greed and materialism in this detailed portrait of mid-19th-century French life. He is considered one of the finest European novelists of his century and a significant influence on the development of literary realism. (Summary by Bruce Pirie)

Genre(s): Literary Fiction

Language: English

Group: Balzac's Human Comedy

Section Chapter Reader Time
Play 01 Chapter 1 Bruce Pirie
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Play 02 Chapter 2 Bruce Pirie
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Play 03 Chapter 3 Bruce Pirie
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Play 08 Chapter 8 Bruce Pirie
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Play 09 Chapter 9 Bruce Pirie
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Play 11 Chapter 11 Bruce Pirie
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Play 12 Chapter 12 Bruce Pirie
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Play 13 Chapter 13 Bruce Pirie
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Play 14 Chapter 14 Bruce Pirie
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Play 15 Chapter 15 Bruce Pirie
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Play 17 Chapter 17 Bruce Pirie
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Play 18 Chapter 18 Bruce Pirie
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Play 20 Chapter 20 Bruce Pirie
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Play 21 Chapter 21 Bruce Pirie
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Play 22 Chapter 22 Bruce Pirie
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Play 23 Chapter 23 Bruce Pirie
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Play 24 Chapter 24 Bruce Pirie
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Play 25 Chapter 25 Bruce Pirie
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Play 26 Chapter 26 Bruce Pirie
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Play 27 Chapter 27 Bruce Pirie
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Play 28 Chapter 28 Bruce Pirie
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Play 29 Chapter 29 Bruce Pirie
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Play 30 Chapter 30 Bruce Pirie
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Play 31 Chapter 31 Bruce Pirie
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