Lost Illusions

The Project Gutenberg EBook of Lost Illusions, by Honore De BalzacThis eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it,give it away or re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online atwww.gutenberg.netTitle: Lost IllusionsAuthor: Honore De BalzacRelease Date: August 11, 2004 [EBook #13159]Language: English*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK LOST ILLUSIONS ***Produced by DagnyLOST ILLUSIONSBYHONORE DE BALZACPREPARER'S NOTE The trilogy known as Lost Illusions consists of: Two Poets A Distinguished Provincial at Paris Eve and DavidIn many references parts one and three are combined under the title Lost Illusions and A Distinguished Provincial atParis is given its individual title. Following this trilogy is a sequel, Scenes from a Courtesan's Life, which is setdirectly following the end of Eve and David.LOST ILLUSIONSINTRODUCTIONThe longest, without exception, of Balzac's books, and one which contains hardly any passage that is not very nearly ofhis best, Illusions Perdues suffers, I think, a little in point of composition from the mixture of the Angouleme scenes of itsfirst and third parts with the purely Parisian interest of Un Grand Homme de Province. It is hardly possible to exaggeratethe gain in distinctness and lucidity of arrangement derived from putting Les Deux Poetes and Eve et David (a muchbetter title ...