Cousin Bette by Honoré de Balzac is a compelling tale of jealousy, manipulation, and revenge set against the backdrop of 19th-century Parisian society. The novel follows the story of Lisbeth Fischer, known as Cousin Bette, a spinster living in the shadow of her more glamorous and successful cousin, Adeline Hulot. Consumed by envy and resentment, Cousin Bette schemes to bring about the downfall of the Hulot family, particularly Adeline's husband, Baron Hulot, and their daughter Hortense. As she plots her revenge, Cousin Bette forms alliances with others who share her grievances, including the cunning Crevel and the mysterious Wenceslas. Through her machinations, she orchestrates a series of events that lead to the ruin of the Hulot family and the devastation of those she once envied. Balzac's novel offers a searing critique of the moral and social decay of Parisian society, portraying a world where greed, lust, and betrayal reign supreme. With its vivid characters, intricate plot twists, and penetrating insight into human nature, "Cousin Bette" remains a timeless masterpiece of French literature, exploring the darker aspects of the human psyche and the destructive power of envy.
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