The Wild Ass's Skin by Honoré de Balzac
A Philosophical Study
The novel revolves around a young, impoverished Parisian named Raphaël de Valentin who stumbles upon a magical piece of donkey skin that grants him the power to fulfill any desire at the cost of shortening his life with each wish. As he grapples with this Faustian bargain, Raphaël is torn between his ambitions and the fear of death, embarking on a journey of indulgence and introspection. The narrative explores themes of fate, materialism, and the human condition, ultimately questioning whether the pursuit of happiness and the fulfillment of desires can truly lead to contentment.
The 1782nd greatest book of all time
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- Published
- 1831
- Nationality
- French
- Length
- Moderate
- Pages
- 300-350
- Original Language
- French
- Avg User Rating
-
(3.0)
- Alternate Titles
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- La Peau de chagrin
- The Magic Skin
- The Shagreen Skin
- Шагреневая кожа
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This book is on the following 4 lists:
- 6th on 100 Books of Classical and Modern Foreign Literature (The Union of Russian Writers)
- 1,000 Books to Read Before You Die: A Life-Changing List (1,000 Books to Read Before You Die(Book))
- Harold Bloom's The Western Canon (The Western Canon (Book) by Harold Bloom)
- The 100 Greatest Novels (Nezavisimaya Gazeta (Russian Newspaper))