Iluzii pierdute

Lucien Chardon is a young poet who writes for the press. He seeks a place among the nobles of France. He sees this as his right. His mother and sister give up much for his hopes. David Séchard is the novel’s other main figure. He must take over his father’s print shop. But his goal is to invent things.

Honoré de Balzac sets their goals in French life in the early 1800s. Their stories probe social rank, culture, and right and wrong. The novel forms part of his Comedie umană. This edition has a preface by Andreea Vlădescu. It looks at how he treats society and each person.