<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<rss xmlns:itunes="http://www.itunes.com/dtds/podcast-1.0.dtd" xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" xmlns:podcast="https://podcastindex.org/namespace/1.0" xmlns:media="http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/" version="2.0"><channel><title>Lost Illusions: A Distinguished Provincial at Paris</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/lost-illusions-a-distinguished-provincial-at-paris--7088432</link><description><![CDATA[A Distinguished Provincial at Paris (Un grand homme de province à Paris, 1839) is the second book in Balzac’s Lost Illusions trilogy, which is part of his sweeping set of novels collectively titled La Comédie Humaine. The story is set in post-Napoleonic France, when the new bourgeoisie was jostling for position alongside the old aristocracy. In the first volume of the trilogy (Two Poets, 1837), we met Lucien Chardon, an aspiring poet who feels stymied by the pettiness of provincial life. In the present volume, Lucien, now using the more aristocratic-sounding surname "de Rubempré," leaves behind his family in order to seek fame and fortune in the literary world of Paris. He is tested by challenges that are literary, social, financial, and ethical.Balzac’s work was hugely influential in the development of realism in fiction. The Lost Illusions trilogy is one of his greatest achievements, and is named in the reference work 1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die. The final volume in the trilogy is Ève and David (1843). - Summary by Bruce Pirie Other volumes in this series: Lost Illusions: Two PoetsLost Illusions: Ève and David]]></description><atom:link href="https://www.spreaker.com/show/7088432/episodes/feed" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml"/><language>en</language><category>Books</category><copyright>Copyright Literary Fiction Genre</copyright><image><url>https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/ad05dda8f7c0ba50b18a272df9a648a9.jpg</url><title>Lost Illusions: A Distinguished Provincial at Paris</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/lost-illusions-a-distinguished-provincial-at-paris--7088432</link></image><lastBuildDate>Mon, 07 Sep 2026 09:12:30 +0000</lastBuildDate><itunes:author>Honoré de Balzac</itunes:author><itunes:owner><itunes:name>Literary Fiction Genre</itunes:name><itunes:email>spreaker64@podcastlibrary.org</itunes:email></itunes:owner><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/ad05dda8f7c0ba50b18a272df9a648a9.jpg"/><itunes:subtitle>A Distinguished Provincial at Paris (Un grand homme de province à Paris, 1839) is the second book in Balzac’s Lost Illusions trilogy, which is part of his sweeping set of novels collectively titled La Comédie Humaine. The story is set in...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA[A Distinguished Provincial at Paris (Un grand homme de province à Paris, 1839) is the second book in Balzac’s Lost Illusions trilogy, which is part of his sweeping set of novels collectively titled La Comédie Humaine. The story is set in post-Napoleonic France, when the new bourgeoisie was jostling for position alongside the old aristocracy. In the first volume of the trilogy (Two Poets, 1837), we met Lucien Chardon, an aspiring poet who feels stymied by the pettiness of provincial life. In the present volume, Lucien, now using the more aristocratic-sounding surname "de Rubempré," leaves behind his family in order to seek fame and fortune in the literary world of Paris. He is tested by challenges that are literary, social, financial, and ethical.Balzac’s work was hugely influential in the development of realism in fiction. The Lost Illusions trilogy is one of his greatest achievements, and is named in the reference work 1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die. The final volume in the trilogy is Ève and David (1843). - Summary by Bruce Pirie Other volumes in this series: Lost Illusions: Two PoetsLost Illusions: Ève and David]]></itunes:summary><itunes:category text="Arts"><itunes:category text="Books"/></itunes:category><itunes:category text="Fiction"/><itunes:category text="Fiction"><itunes:category text="Drama"/></itunes:category><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><podcast:guid>fff61e3e-93e3-5ed8-86a6-efe12797fc8e</podcast:guid><itunes:type>episodic</itunes:type><item><title>Miss Crespigny-Frances Hodgson Burnett</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/miss-crespigny-frances-hodgson-burnett--74394443</link><description><![CDATA[A Distinguished Provincial at Paris (Un grand homme de province à Paris, 1839) is the second book in Balzac’s Lost Illusions trilogy, which is part of his sweeping set of novels collectively titled La Comédie Humaine. The story is set in post-Napoleonic France, when the new bourgeoisie was jostling for position alongside the old aristocracy. In the first volume of the trilogy (Two Poets, 1837), we met Lucien Chardon, an aspiring poet who feels stymied by the pettiness of provincial life. In the present volume, Lucien, now using the more aristocratic-sounding surname "de Rubempré," leaves behind his family in order to seek fame and fortune in the literary world of Paris. He is tested by challenges that are literary, social, financial, and ethical.Balzac’s work was hugely influential in the development of realism in fiction. The Lost Illusions trilogy is one of his greatest achievements, and is named in the reference work 1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die. The final volume in the trilogy is Ève and David (1843). - Summary by Bruce Pirie Other volumes in this series: Lost Illusions: Two PoetsLost Illusions: Ève and David]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74394443</guid><pubDate>Mon, 07 Sep 2026 09:01:09 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/74394443/miss_crespigny_frances_hodgson_burnett.mp3" length="130322679" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:author>Honoré de Balzac</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>A Distinguished Provincial at Paris (Un grand homme de province à Paris, 1839) is the second book in Balzac’s Lost Illusions trilogy, which is part of his sweeping set of novels collectively titled La Comédie Humaine. The story is set in...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA[A Distinguished Provincial at Paris (Un grand homme de province à Paris, 1839) is the second book in Balzac’s Lost Illusions trilogy, which is part of his sweeping set of novels collectively titled La Comédie Humaine. The story is set in post-Napoleonic France, when the new bourgeoisie was jostling for position alongside the old aristocracy. In the first volume of the trilogy (Two Poets, 1837), we met Lucien Chardon, an aspiring poet who feels stymied by the pettiness of provincial life. In the present volume, Lucien, now using the more aristocratic-sounding surname "de Rubempré," leaves behind his family in order to seek fame and fortune in the literary world of Paris. He is tested by challenges that are literary, social, financial, and ethical.Balzac’s work was hugely influential in the development of realism in fiction. The Lost Illusions trilogy is one of his greatest achievements, and is named in the reference work 1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die. The final volume in the trilogy is Ève and David (1843). - Summary by Bruce Pirie Other volumes in this series: Lost Illusions: Two PoetsLost Illusions: Ève and David]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>16274</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/ad05dda8f7c0ba50b18a272df9a648a9.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>Dave Brings Home A Wife (dramatic reading)-Steele Rudd</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/dave-brings-home-a-wife-dramatic-reading-steele-rudd--74365305</link><description><![CDATA[A Distinguished Provincial at Paris (Un grand homme de province à Paris, 1839) is the second book in Balzac’s Lost Illusions trilogy, which is part of his sweeping set of novels collectively titled La Comédie Humaine. The story is set in post-Napoleonic France, when the new bourgeoisie was jostling for position alongside the old aristocracy. In the first volume of the trilogy (Two Poets, 1837), we met Lucien Chardon, an aspiring poet who feels stymied by the pettiness of provincial life. In the present volume, Lucien, now using the more aristocratic-sounding surname "de Rubempré," leaves behind his family in order to seek fame and fortune in the literary world of Paris. He is tested by challenges that are literary, social, financial, and ethical.Balzac’s work was hugely influential in the development of realism in fiction. The Lost Illusions trilogy is one of his greatest achievements, and is named in the reference work 1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die. The final volume in the trilogy is Ève and David (1843). - Summary by Bruce Pirie Other volumes in this series: Lost Illusions: Two PoetsLost Illusions: Ève and David]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74365305</guid><pubDate>Sun, 06 Sep 2026 09:00:57 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/74365305/dave_brings_home_a_wife_dramatic_reading_steele_rudd.mp3" length="47793891" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:author>Honoré de Balzac</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>A Distinguished Provincial at Paris (Un grand homme de province à Paris, 1839) is the second book in Balzac’s Lost Illusions trilogy, which is part of his sweeping set of novels collectively titled La Comédie Humaine. The story is set in...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA[A Distinguished Provincial at Paris (Un grand homme de province à Paris, 1839) is the second book in Balzac’s Lost Illusions trilogy, which is part of his sweeping set of novels collectively titled La Comédie Humaine. The story is set in post-Napoleonic France, when the new bourgeoisie was jostling for position alongside the old aristocracy. In the first volume of the trilogy (Two Poets, 1837), we met Lucien Chardon, an aspiring poet who feels stymied by the pettiness of provincial life. In the present volume, Lucien, now using the more aristocratic-sounding surname "de Rubempré," leaves behind his family in order to seek fame and fortune in the literary world of Paris. He is tested by challenges that are literary, social, financial, and ethical.Balzac’s work was hugely influential in the development of realism in fiction. The Lost Illusions trilogy is one of his greatest achievements, and is named in the reference work 1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die. The final volume in the trilogy is Ève and David (1843). - Summary by Bruce Pirie Other volumes in this series: Lost Illusions: Two PoetsLost Illusions: Ève and David]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>5968</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/ad05dda8f7c0ba50b18a272df9a648a9.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>Three Sisters-Anton Chekhov</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/three-sisters-anton-chekhov--74343986</link><description><![CDATA[A Distinguished Provincial at Paris (Un grand homme de province à Paris, 1839) is the second book in Balzac’s Lost Illusions trilogy, which is part of his sweeping set of novels collectively titled La Comédie Humaine. The story is set in post-Napoleonic France, when the new bourgeoisie was jostling for position alongside the old aristocracy. In the first volume of the trilogy (Two Poets, 1837), we met Lucien Chardon, an aspiring poet who feels stymied by the pettiness of provincial life. In the present volume, Lucien, now using the more aristocratic-sounding surname "de Rubempré," leaves behind his family in order to seek fame and fortune in the literary world of Paris. He is tested by challenges that are literary, social, financial, and ethical.Balzac’s work was hugely influential in the development of realism in fiction. The Lost Illusions trilogy is one of his greatest achievements, and is named in the reference work 1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die. The final volume in the trilogy is Ève and David (1843). - Summary by Bruce Pirie Other volumes in this series: Lost Illusions: Two PoetsLost Illusions: Ève and David]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74343986</guid><pubDate>Sat, 05 Sep 2026 09:00:43 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/74343986/three_sisters_anton_chekhov.mp3" length="68038241" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:author>Honoré de Balzac</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>A Distinguished Provincial at Paris (Un grand homme de province à Paris, 1839) is the second book in Balzac’s Lost Illusions trilogy, which is part of his sweeping set of novels collectively titled La Comédie Humaine. The story is set in...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA[A Distinguished Provincial at Paris (Un grand homme de province à Paris, 1839) is the second book in Balzac’s Lost Illusions trilogy, which is part of his sweeping set of novels collectively titled La Comédie Humaine. The story is set in post-Napoleonic France, when the new bourgeoisie was jostling for position alongside the old aristocracy. In the first volume of the trilogy (Two Poets, 1837), we met Lucien Chardon, an aspiring poet who feels stymied by the pettiness of provincial life. In the present volume, Lucien, now using the more aristocratic-sounding surname "de Rubempré," leaves behind his family in order to seek fame and fortune in the literary world of Paris. He is tested by challenges that are literary, social, financial, and ethical.Balzac’s work was hugely influential in the development of realism in fiction. The Lost Illusions trilogy is one of his greatest achievements, and is named in the reference work 1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die. The final volume in the trilogy is Ève and David (1843). - Summary by Bruce Pirie Other volumes in this series: Lost Illusions: Two PoetsLost Illusions: Ève and David]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>8496</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/ad05dda8f7c0ba50b18a272df9a648a9.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>Dream Play-August Strindberg</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/dream-play-august-strindberg--74316182</link><description><![CDATA[A Distinguished Provincial at Paris (Un grand homme de province à Paris, 1839) is the second book in Balzac’s Lost Illusions trilogy, which is part of his sweeping set of novels collectively titled La Comédie Humaine. The story is set in post-Napoleonic France, when the new bourgeoisie was jostling for position alongside the old aristocracy. In the first volume of the trilogy (Two Poets, 1837), we met Lucien Chardon, an aspiring poet who feels stymied by the pettiness of provincial life. In the present volume, Lucien, now using the more aristocratic-sounding surname "de Rubempré," leaves behind his family in order to seek fame and fortune in the literary world of Paris. He is tested by challenges that are literary, social, financial, and ethical.Balzac’s work was hugely influential in the development of realism in fiction. The Lost Illusions trilogy is one of his greatest achievements, and is named in the reference work 1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die. The final volume in the trilogy is Ève and David (1843). - Summary by Bruce Pirie Other volumes in this series: Lost Illusions: Two PoetsLost Illusions: Ève and David]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74316182</guid><pubDate>Fri, 04 Sep 2026 09:00:51 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/74316182/dream_play_august_strindberg.mp3" length="66423539" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:author>Honoré de Balzac</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>A Distinguished Provincial at Paris (Un grand homme de province à Paris, 1839) is the second book in Balzac’s Lost Illusions trilogy, which is part of his sweeping set of novels collectively titled La Comédie Humaine. The story is set in...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA[A Distinguished Provincial at Paris (Un grand homme de province à Paris, 1839) is the second book in Balzac’s Lost Illusions trilogy, which is part of his sweeping set of novels collectively titled La Comédie Humaine. The story is set in post-Napoleonic France, when the new bourgeoisie was jostling for position alongside the old aristocracy. In the first volume of the trilogy (Two Poets, 1837), we met Lucien Chardon, an aspiring poet who feels stymied by the pettiness of provincial life. In the present volume, Lucien, now using the more aristocratic-sounding surname "de Rubempré," leaves behind his family in order to seek fame and fortune in the literary world of Paris. He is tested by challenges that are literary, social, financial, and ethical.Balzac’s work was hugely influential in the development of realism in fiction. The Lost Illusions trilogy is one of his greatest achievements, and is named in the reference work 1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die. The final volume in the trilogy is Ève and David (1843). - Summary by Bruce Pirie Other volumes in this series: Lost Illusions: Two PoetsLost Illusions: Ève and David]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>8294</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/ad05dda8f7c0ba50b18a272df9a648a9.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>Your United States Impressions Of A First Visit-Arnold Bennett</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/your-united-states-impressions-of-a-first-visit-arnold-bennett--74296385</link><description><![CDATA[A Distinguished Provincial at Paris (Un grand homme de province à Paris, 1839) is the second book in Balzac’s Lost Illusions trilogy, which is part of his sweeping set of novels collectively titled La Comédie Humaine. The story is set in post-Napoleonic France, when the new bourgeoisie was jostling for position alongside the old aristocracy. In the first volume of the trilogy (Two Poets, 1837), we met Lucien Chardon, an aspiring poet who feels stymied by the pettiness of provincial life. In the present volume, Lucien, now using the more aristocratic-sounding surname "de Rubempré," leaves behind his family in order to seek fame and fortune in the literary world of Paris. He is tested by challenges that are literary, social, financial, and ethical.Balzac’s work was hugely influential in the development of realism in fiction. The Lost Illusions trilogy is one of his greatest achievements, and is named in the reference work 1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die. The final volume in the trilogy is Ève and David (1843). - Summary by Bruce Pirie Other volumes in this series: Lost Illusions: Two PoetsLost Illusions: Ève and David]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74296385</guid><pubDate>Thu, 03 Sep 2026 09:00:50 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/74296385/your_united_states_impressions_of_a_first_visit_arnold_bennett.mp3" length="158071323" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:author>Honoré de Balzac</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>A Distinguished Provincial at Paris (Un grand homme de province à Paris, 1839) is the second book in Balzac’s Lost Illusions trilogy, which is part of his sweeping set of novels collectively titled La Comédie Humaine. The story is set in...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA[A Distinguished Provincial at Paris (Un grand homme de province à Paris, 1839) is the second book in Balzac’s Lost Illusions trilogy, which is part of his sweeping set of novels collectively titled La Comédie Humaine. The story is set in post-Napoleonic France, when the new bourgeoisie was jostling for position alongside the old aristocracy. In the first volume of the trilogy (Two Poets, 1837), we met Lucien Chardon, an aspiring poet who feels stymied by the pettiness of provincial life. In the present volume, Lucien, now using the more aristocratic-sounding surname "de Rubempré," leaves behind his family in order to seek fame and fortune in the literary world of Paris. He is tested by challenges that are literary, social, financial, and ethical.Balzac’s work was hugely influential in the development of realism in fiction. The Lost Illusions trilogy is one of his greatest achievements, and is named in the reference work 1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die. The final volume in the trilogy is Ève and David (1843). - Summary by Bruce Pirie Other volumes in this series: Lost Illusions: Two PoetsLost Illusions: Ève and David]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>19739</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/ad05dda8f7c0ba50b18a272df9a648a9.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>Mabel Ross, the Sewing Girl-Unknown</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/mabel-ross-the-sewing-girl-unknown--74275314</link><description><![CDATA[A Distinguished Provincial at Paris (Un grand homme de province à Paris, 1839) is the second book in Balzac’s Lost Illusions trilogy, which is part of his sweeping set of novels collectively titled La Comédie Humaine. The story is set in post-Napoleonic France, when the new bourgeoisie was jostling for position alongside the old aristocracy. In the first volume of the trilogy (Two Poets, 1837), we met Lucien Chardon, an aspiring poet who feels stymied by the pettiness of provincial life. In the present volume, Lucien, now using the more aristocratic-sounding surname "de Rubempré," leaves behind his family in order to seek fame and fortune in the literary world of Paris. He is tested by challenges that are literary, social, financial, and ethical.Balzac’s work was hugely influential in the development of realism in fiction. The Lost Illusions trilogy is one of his greatest achievements, and is named in the reference work 1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die. The final volume in the trilogy is Ève and David (1843). - Summary by Bruce Pirie Other volumes in this series: Lost Illusions: Two PoetsLost Illusions: Ève and David]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74275314</guid><pubDate>Wed, 02 Sep 2026 09:01:00 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/74275314/mabel_ross_the_sewing_girl_unknown.mp3" length="257573107" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:author>Honoré de Balzac</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>A Distinguished Provincial at Paris (Un grand homme de province à Paris, 1839) is the second book in Balzac’s Lost Illusions trilogy, which is part of his sweeping set of novels collectively titled La Comédie Humaine. The story is set in...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA[A Distinguished Provincial at Paris (Un grand homme de province à Paris, 1839) is the second book in Balzac’s Lost Illusions trilogy, which is part of his sweeping set of novels collectively titled La Comédie Humaine. The story is set in post-Napoleonic France, when the new bourgeoisie was jostling for position alongside the old aristocracy. In the first volume of the trilogy (Two Poets, 1837), we met Lucien Chardon, an aspiring poet who feels stymied by the pettiness of provincial life. In the present volume, Lucien, now using the more aristocratic-sounding surname "de Rubempré," leaves behind his family in order to seek fame and fortune in the literary world of Paris. He is tested by challenges that are literary, social, financial, and ethical.Balzac’s work was hugely influential in the development of realism in fiction. The Lost Illusions trilogy is one of his greatest achievements, and is named in the reference work 1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die. The final volume in the trilogy is Ève and David (1843). - Summary by Bruce Pirie Other volumes in this series: Lost Illusions: Two PoetsLost Illusions: Ève and David]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>32165</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/ad05dda8f7c0ba50b18a272df9a648a9.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>Anne of Green Gables (Dramatic Reading)-Lucy Maud Montgomery</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/anne-of-green-gables-dramatic-reading-lucy-maud-montgomery--74256687</link><description><![CDATA[A Distinguished Provincial at Paris (Un grand homme de province à Paris, 1839) is the second book in Balzac’s Lost Illusions trilogy, which is part of his sweeping set of novels collectively titled La Comédie Humaine. The story is set in post-Napoleonic France, when the new bourgeoisie was jostling for position alongside the old aristocracy. In the first volume of the trilogy (Two Poets, 1837), we met Lucien Chardon, an aspiring poet who feels stymied by the pettiness of provincial life. In the present volume, Lucien, now using the more aristocratic-sounding surname "de Rubempré," leaves behind his family in order to seek fame and fortune in the literary world of Paris. He is tested by challenges that are literary, social, financial, and ethical.Balzac’s work was hugely influential in the development of realism in fiction. The Lost Illusions trilogy is one of his greatest achievements, and is named in the reference work 1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die. The final volume in the trilogy is Ève and David (1843). - Summary by Bruce Pirie Other volumes in this series: Lost Illusions: Two PoetsLost Illusions: Ève and David]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74256687</guid><pubDate>Tue, 01 Sep 2026 09:00:46 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/74256687/anne_of_green_gables_dramatic_reading_lucy_maud_montgomery.mp3" length="278587458" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:author>Honoré de Balzac</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>A Distinguished Provincial at Paris (Un grand homme de province à Paris, 1839) is the second book in Balzac’s Lost Illusions trilogy, which is part of his sweeping set of novels collectively titled La Comédie Humaine. The story is set in...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA[A Distinguished Provincial at Paris (Un grand homme de province à Paris, 1839) is the second book in Balzac’s Lost Illusions trilogy, which is part of his sweeping set of novels collectively titled La Comédie Humaine. The story is set in post-Napoleonic France, when the new bourgeoisie was jostling for position alongside the old aristocracy. In the first volume of the trilogy (Two Poets, 1837), we met Lucien Chardon, an aspiring poet who feels stymied by the pettiness of provincial life. In the present volume, Lucien, now using the more aristocratic-sounding surname "de Rubempré," leaves behind his family in order to seek fame and fortune in the literary world of Paris. He is tested by challenges that are literary, social, financial, and ethical.Balzac’s work was hugely influential in the development of realism in fiction. The Lost Illusions trilogy is one of his greatest achievements, and is named in the reference work 1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die. The final volume in the trilogy is Ève and David (1843). - Summary by Bruce Pirie Other volumes in this series: Lost Illusions: Two PoetsLost Illusions: Ève and David]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>34789</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/ad05dda8f7c0ba50b18a272df9a648a9.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>My Lady of the Chinese Courtyard-Elizabeth Cooper</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/my-lady-of-the-chinese-courtyard-elizabeth-cooper--74239385</link><description><![CDATA[A Distinguished Provincial at Paris (Un grand homme de province à Paris, 1839) is the second book in Balzac’s Lost Illusions trilogy, which is part of his sweeping set of novels collectively titled La Comédie Humaine. The story is set in post-Napoleonic France, when the new bourgeoisie was jostling for position alongside the old aristocracy. In the first volume of the trilogy (Two Poets, 1837), we met Lucien Chardon, an aspiring poet who feels stymied by the pettiness of provincial life. In the present volume, Lucien, now using the more aristocratic-sounding surname "de Rubempré," leaves behind his family in order to seek fame and fortune in the literary world of Paris. He is tested by challenges that are literary, social, financial, and ethical.Balzac’s work was hugely influential in the development of realism in fiction. The Lost Illusions trilogy is one of his greatest achievements, and is named in the reference work 1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die. The final volume in the trilogy is Ève and David (1843). - Summary by Bruce Pirie Other volumes in this series: Lost Illusions: Two PoetsLost Illusions: Ève and David]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74239385</guid><pubDate>Mon, 31 Aug 2026 09:00:48 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/74239385/my_lady_of_the_chinese_courtyard_elizabeth_cooper.mp3" length="145255158" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:author>Honoré de Balzac</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>A Distinguished Provincial at Paris (Un grand homme de province à Paris, 1839) is the second book in Balzac’s Lost Illusions trilogy, which is part of his sweeping set of novels collectively titled La Comédie Humaine. The story is set in...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA[A Distinguished Provincial at Paris (Un grand homme de province à Paris, 1839) is the second book in Balzac’s Lost Illusions trilogy, which is part of his sweeping set of novels collectively titled La Comédie Humaine. The story is set in post-Napoleonic France, when the new bourgeoisie was jostling for position alongside the old aristocracy. In the first volume of the trilogy (Two Poets, 1837), we met Lucien Chardon, an aspiring poet who feels stymied by the pettiness of provincial life. In the present volume, Lucien, now using the more aristocratic-sounding surname "de Rubempré," leaves behind his family in order to seek fame and fortune in the literary world of Paris. He is tested by challenges that are literary, social, financial, and ethical.Balzac’s work was hugely influential in the development of realism in fiction. The Lost Illusions trilogy is one of his greatest achievements, and is named in the reference work 1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die. The final volume in the trilogy is Ève and David (1843). - Summary by Bruce Pirie Other volumes in this series: Lost Illusions: Two PoetsLost Illusions: Ève and David]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>18139</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/ad05dda8f7c0ba50b18a272df9a648a9.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>Luck Of Roaring Camp And Other Sketches-Bret Harte</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/luck-of-roaring-camp-and-other-sketches-bret-harte--74223549</link><description><![CDATA[A Distinguished Provincial at Paris (Un grand homme de province à Paris, 1839) is the second book in Balzac’s Lost Illusions trilogy, which is part of his sweeping set of novels collectively titled La Comédie Humaine. The story is set in post-Napoleonic France, when the new bourgeoisie was jostling for position alongside the old aristocracy. In the first volume of the trilogy (Two Poets, 1837), we met Lucien Chardon, an aspiring poet who feels stymied by the pettiness of provincial life. In the present volume, Lucien, now using the more aristocratic-sounding surname "de Rubempré," leaves behind his family in order to seek fame and fortune in the literary world of Paris. He is tested by challenges that are literary, social, financial, and ethical.Balzac’s work was hugely influential in the development of realism in fiction. The Lost Illusions trilogy is one of his greatest achievements, and is named in the reference work 1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die. The final volume in the trilogy is Ève and David (1843). - Summary by Bruce Pirie Other volumes in this series: Lost Illusions: Two PoetsLost Illusions: Ève and David]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74223549</guid><pubDate>Sun, 30 Aug 2026 09:00:46 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/74223549/luck_of_roaring_camp_and_other_sketches_bret_harte.mp3" length="207377599" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:author>Honoré de Balzac</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>A Distinguished Provincial at Paris (Un grand homme de province à Paris, 1839) is the second book in Balzac’s Lost Illusions trilogy, which is part of his sweeping set of novels collectively titled La Comédie Humaine. The story is set in...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA[A Distinguished Provincial at Paris (Un grand homme de province à Paris, 1839) is the second book in Balzac’s Lost Illusions trilogy, which is part of his sweeping set of novels collectively titled La Comédie Humaine. The story is set in post-Napoleonic France, when the new bourgeoisie was jostling for position alongside the old aristocracy. In the first volume of the trilogy (Two Poets, 1837), we met Lucien Chardon, an aspiring poet who feels stymied by the pettiness of provincial life. In the present volume, Lucien, now using the more aristocratic-sounding surname "de Rubempré," leaves behind his family in order to seek fame and fortune in the literary world of Paris. He is tested by challenges that are literary, social, financial, and ethical.Balzac’s work was hugely influential in the development of realism in fiction. The Lost Illusions trilogy is one of his greatest achievements, and is named in the reference work 1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die. The final volume in the trilogy is Ève and David (1843). - Summary by Bruce Pirie Other volumes in this series: Lost Illusions: Two PoetsLost Illusions: Ève and David]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>25896</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/ad05dda8f7c0ba50b18a272df9a648a9.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>Into The Valley Of Death Crimea, Balaklava, The Light Brigade Russell, Tennyson And Kipling-Various</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/into-the-valley-of-death-crimea-balaklava-the-light-brigade-russell-tennyson-and-kipling-various--74198837</link><description><![CDATA[A Distinguished Provincial at Paris (Un grand homme de province à Paris, 1839) is the second book in Balzac’s Lost Illusions trilogy, which is part of his sweeping set of novels collectively titled La Comédie Humaine. The story is set in post-Napoleonic France, when the new bourgeoisie was jostling for position alongside the old aristocracy. In the first volume of the trilogy (Two Poets, 1837), we met Lucien Chardon, an aspiring poet who feels stymied by the pettiness of provincial life. In the present volume, Lucien, now using the more aristocratic-sounding surname "de Rubempré," leaves behind his family in order to seek fame and fortune in the literary world of Paris. He is tested by challenges that are literary, social, financial, and ethical.Balzac’s work was hugely influential in the development of realism in fiction. The Lost Illusions trilogy is one of his greatest achievements, and is named in the reference work 1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die. The final volume in the trilogy is Ève and David (1843). - Summary by Bruce Pirie Other volumes in this series: Lost Illusions: Two PoetsLost Illusions: Ève and David]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74198837</guid><pubDate>Sat, 29 Aug 2026 09:00:49 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/74198837/into_the_valley_of_death_crimea_balaklava_the_light_brigade_russell_tennyson_and_kipling_various.mp3" length="24861620" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:author>Honoré de Balzac</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>A Distinguished Provincial at Paris (Un grand homme de province à Paris, 1839) is the second book in Balzac’s Lost Illusions trilogy, which is part of his sweeping set of novels collectively titled La Comédie Humaine. The story is set in...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA[A Distinguished Provincial at Paris (Un grand homme de province à Paris, 1839) is the second book in Balzac’s Lost Illusions trilogy, which is part of his sweeping set of novels collectively titled La Comédie Humaine. The story is set in post-Napoleonic France, when the new bourgeoisie was jostling for position alongside the old aristocracy. In the first volume of the trilogy (Two Poets, 1837), we met Lucien Chardon, an aspiring poet who feels stymied by the pettiness of provincial life. In the present volume, Lucien, now using the more aristocratic-sounding surname "de Rubempré," leaves behind his family in order to seek fame and fortune in the literary world of Paris. He is tested by challenges that are literary, social, financial, and ethical.Balzac’s work was hugely influential in the development of realism in fiction. The Lost Illusions trilogy is one of his greatest achievements, and is named in the reference work 1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die. The final volume in the trilogy is Ève and David (1843). - Summary by Bruce Pirie Other volumes in this series: Lost Illusions: Two PoetsLost Illusions: Ève and David]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>3104</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/ad05dda8f7c0ba50b18a272df9a648a9.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>Wouldbegoods (Version 2 Dramatic Reading)-E. Nesbit</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/wouldbegoods-version-2-dramatic-reading-e-nesbit--74169609</link><description><![CDATA[A Distinguished Provincial at Paris (Un grand homme de province à Paris, 1839) is the second book in Balzac’s Lost Illusions trilogy, which is part of his sweeping set of novels collectively titled La Comédie Humaine. The story is set in post-Napoleonic France, when the new bourgeoisie was jostling for position alongside the old aristocracy. In the first volume of the trilogy (Two Poets, 1837), we met Lucien Chardon, an aspiring poet who feels stymied by the pettiness of provincial life. In the present volume, Lucien, now using the more aristocratic-sounding surname "de Rubempré," leaves behind his family in order to seek fame and fortune in the literary world of Paris. He is tested by challenges that are literary, social, financial, and ethical.Balzac’s work was hugely influential in the development of realism in fiction. The Lost Illusions trilogy is one of his greatest achievements, and is named in the reference work 1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die. The final volume in the trilogy is Ève and David (1843). - Summary by Bruce Pirie Other volumes in this series: Lost Illusions: Two PoetsLost Illusions: Ève and David]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74169609</guid><pubDate>Fri, 28 Aug 2026 09:00:57 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/74169609/wouldbegoods_version_2_dramatic_reading_e_nesbit.mp3" length="271757877" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:author>Honoré de Balzac</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>A Distinguished Provincial at Paris (Un grand homme de province à Paris, 1839) is the second book in Balzac’s Lost Illusions trilogy, which is part of his sweeping set of novels collectively titled La Comédie Humaine. The story is set in...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA[A Distinguished Provincial at Paris (Un grand homme de province à Paris, 1839) is the second book in Balzac’s Lost Illusions trilogy, which is part of his sweeping set of novels collectively titled La Comédie Humaine. The story is set in post-Napoleonic France, when the new bourgeoisie was jostling for position alongside the old aristocracy. In the first volume of the trilogy (Two Poets, 1837), we met Lucien Chardon, an aspiring poet who feels stymied by the pettiness of provincial life. In the present volume, Lucien, now using the more aristocratic-sounding surname "de Rubempré," leaves behind his family in order to seek fame and fortune in the literary world of Paris. He is tested by challenges that are literary, social, financial, and ethical.Balzac’s work was hugely influential in the development of realism in fiction. The Lost Illusions trilogy is one of his greatest achievements, and is named in the reference work 1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die. The final volume in the trilogy is Ève and David (1843). - Summary by Bruce Pirie Other volumes in this series: Lost Illusions: Two PoetsLost Illusions: Ève and David]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>33935</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/ad05dda8f7c0ba50b18a272df9a648a9.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>Santa Claus's Partner-Thomas Nelson Page</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/santa-claus-s-partner-thomas-nelson-page--74141057</link><description><![CDATA[A Distinguished Provincial at Paris (Un grand homme de province à Paris, 1839) is the second book in Balzac’s Lost Illusions trilogy, which is part of his sweeping set of novels collectively titled La Comédie Humaine. The story is set in post-Napoleonic France, when the new bourgeoisie was jostling for position alongside the old aristocracy. In the first volume of the trilogy (Two Poets, 1837), we met Lucien Chardon, an aspiring poet who feels stymied by the pettiness of provincial life. In the present volume, Lucien, now using the more aristocratic-sounding surname "de Rubempré," leaves behind his family in order to seek fame and fortune in the literary world of Paris. He is tested by challenges that are literary, social, financial, and ethical.Balzac’s work was hugely influential in the development of realism in fiction. The Lost Illusions trilogy is one of his greatest achievements, and is named in the reference work 1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die. The final volume in the trilogy is Ève and David (1843). - Summary by Bruce Pirie Other volumes in this series: Lost Illusions: Two PoetsLost Illusions: Ève and David]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74141057</guid><pubDate>Thu, 27 Aug 2026 09:00:55 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/74141057/santa_claus_s_partner_thomas_nelson_page.mp3" length="82942337" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:author>Honoré de Balzac</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>A Distinguished Provincial at Paris (Un grand homme de province à Paris, 1839) is the second book in Balzac’s Lost Illusions trilogy, which is part of his sweeping set of novels collectively titled La Comédie Humaine. The story is set in...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA[A Distinguished Provincial at Paris (Un grand homme de province à Paris, 1839) is the second book in Balzac’s Lost Illusions trilogy, which is part of his sweeping set of novels collectively titled La Comédie Humaine. The story is set in post-Napoleonic France, when the new bourgeoisie was jostling for position alongside the old aristocracy. In the first volume of the trilogy (Two Poets, 1837), we met Lucien Chardon, an aspiring poet who feels stymied by the pettiness of provincial life. In the present volume, Lucien, now using the more aristocratic-sounding surname "de Rubempré," leaves behind his family in order to seek fame and fortune in the literary world of Paris. He is tested by challenges that are literary, social, financial, and ethical.Balzac’s work was hugely influential in the development of realism in fiction. The Lost Illusions trilogy is one of his greatest achievements, and is named in the reference work 1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die. The final volume in the trilogy is Ève and David (1843). - Summary by Bruce Pirie Other volumes in this series: Lost Illusions: Two PoetsLost Illusions: Ève and David]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>10358</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/ad05dda8f7c0ba50b18a272df9a648a9.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>Second Rubaiyat Miscellany-Louisa Stuart Costello, Edward Byles Cowell, Nathan Haskell Dole, Henry George Keene, Rex Löwenberg</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/second-rubaiyat-miscellany-louisa-stuart-costello-edward-byles-cowell-nathan-haskell-dole-henry-george-keene-rex-lowenberg--74087785</link><description><![CDATA[A Distinguished Provincial at Paris (Un grand homme de province à Paris, 1839) is the second book in Balzac’s Lost Illusions trilogy, which is part of his sweeping set of novels collectively titled La Comédie Humaine. The story is set in post-Napoleonic France, when the new bourgeoisie was jostling for position alongside the old aristocracy. In the first volume of the trilogy (Two Poets, 1837), we met Lucien Chardon, an aspiring poet who feels stymied by the pettiness of provincial life. In the present volume, Lucien, now using the more aristocratic-sounding surname "de Rubempré," leaves behind his family in order to seek fame and fortune in the literary world of Paris. He is tested by challenges that are literary, social, financial, and ethical.Balzac’s work was hugely influential in the development of realism in fiction. The Lost Illusions trilogy is one of his greatest achievements, and is named in the reference work 1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die. The final volume in the trilogy is Ève and David (1843). - Summary by Bruce Pirie Other volumes in this series: Lost Illusions: Two PoetsLost Illusions: Ève and David]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74087785</guid><pubDate>Wed, 26 Aug 2026 09:01:06 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/74087785/second_rubaiyat_miscellany_louisa_stuart_costello_edward_byles_cowell_nathan_haskell_dole_henry_george_keene_rex_lo_wenberg.mp3" length="85625457" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:author>Honoré de Balzac</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>A Distinguished Provincial at Paris (Un grand homme de province à Paris, 1839) is the second book in Balzac’s Lost Illusions trilogy, which is part of his sweeping set of novels collectively titled La Comédie Humaine. The story is set in...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA[A Distinguished Provincial at Paris (Un grand homme de province à Paris, 1839) is the second book in Balzac’s Lost Illusions trilogy, which is part of his sweeping set of novels collectively titled La Comédie Humaine. The story is set in post-Napoleonic France, when the new bourgeoisie was jostling for position alongside the old aristocracy. In the first volume of the trilogy (Two Poets, 1837), we met Lucien Chardon, an aspiring poet who feels stymied by the pettiness of provincial life. In the present volume, Lucien, now using the more aristocratic-sounding surname "de Rubempré," leaves behind his family in order to seek fame and fortune in the literary world of Paris. He is tested by challenges that are literary, social, financial, and ethical.Balzac’s work was hugely influential in the development of realism in fiction. The Lost Illusions trilogy is one of his greatest achievements, and is named in the reference work 1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die. The final volume in the trilogy is Ève and David (1843). - Summary by Bruce Pirie Other volumes in this series: Lost Illusions: Two PoetsLost Illusions: Ève and David]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>10692</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/ad05dda8f7c0ba50b18a272df9a648a9.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>Story of a Modern Woman (Version 2)-Ella Hepworth Dixon</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/story-of-a-modern-woman-version-2-ella-hepworth-dixon--74063837</link><description><![CDATA[A Distinguished Provincial at Paris (Un grand homme de province à Paris, 1839) is the second book in Balzac’s Lost Illusions trilogy, which is part of his sweeping set of novels collectively titled La Comédie Humaine. The story is set in post-Napoleonic France, when the new bourgeoisie was jostling for position alongside the old aristocracy. In the first volume of the trilogy (Two Poets, 1837), we met Lucien Chardon, an aspiring poet who feels stymied by the pettiness of provincial life. In the present volume, Lucien, now using the more aristocratic-sounding surname "de Rubempré," leaves behind his family in order to seek fame and fortune in the literary world of Paris. He is tested by challenges that are literary, social, financial, and ethical.Balzac’s work was hugely influential in the development of realism in fiction. The Lost Illusions trilogy is one of his greatest achievements, and is named in the reference work 1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die. The final volume in the trilogy is Ève and David (1843). - Summary by Bruce Pirie Other volumes in this series: Lost Illusions: Two PoetsLost Illusions: Ève and David]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74063837</guid><pubDate>Tue, 25 Aug 2026 09:00:41 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/74063837/16390_story_of_a_modern_woman_version_2_ella_hepworth_dixon.mp3" length="209616613" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:author>Honoré de Balzac</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>A Distinguished Provincial at Paris (Un grand homme de province à Paris, 1839) is the second book in Balzac’s Lost Illusions trilogy, which is part of his sweeping set of novels collectively titled La Comédie Humaine. The story is set in...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA[A Distinguished Provincial at Paris (Un grand homme de province à Paris, 1839) is the second book in Balzac’s Lost Illusions trilogy, which is part of his sweeping set of novels collectively titled La Comédie Humaine. The story is set in post-Napoleonic France, when the new bourgeoisie was jostling for position alongside the old aristocracy. In the first volume of the trilogy (Two Poets, 1837), we met Lucien Chardon, an aspiring poet who feels stymied by the pettiness of provincial life. In the present volume, Lucien, now using the more aristocratic-sounding surname "de Rubempré," leaves behind his family in order to seek fame and fortune in the literary world of Paris. He is tested by challenges that are literary, social, financial, and ethical.Balzac’s work was hugely influential in the development of realism in fiction. The Lost Illusions trilogy is one of his greatest achievements, and is named in the reference work 1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die. The final volume in the trilogy is Ève and David (1843). - Summary by Bruce Pirie Other volumes in this series: Lost Illusions: Two PoetsLost Illusions: Ève and David]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>26176</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/ad05dda8f7c0ba50b18a272df9a648a9.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>Samson Agonistes (Version 2)-John Milton</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/samson-agonistes-version-2-john-milton--74039181</link><description><![CDATA[A Distinguished Provincial at Paris (Un grand homme de province à Paris, 1839) is the second book in Balzac’s Lost Illusions trilogy, which is part of his sweeping set of novels collectively titled La Comédie Humaine. The story is set in post-Napoleonic France, when the new bourgeoisie was jostling for position alongside the old aristocracy. In the first volume of the trilogy (Two Poets, 1837), we met Lucien Chardon, an aspiring poet who feels stymied by the pettiness of provincial life. In the present volume, Lucien, now using the more aristocratic-sounding surname "de Rubempré," leaves behind his family in order to seek fame and fortune in the literary world of Paris. He is tested by challenges that are literary, social, financial, and ethical.Balzac’s work was hugely influential in the development of realism in fiction. The Lost Illusions trilogy is one of his greatest achievements, and is named in the reference work 1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die. The final volume in the trilogy is Ève and David (1843). - Summary by Bruce Pirie Other volumes in this series: Lost Illusions: Two PoetsLost Illusions: Ève and David]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74039181</guid><pubDate>Mon, 24 Aug 2026 09:02:09 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/74039181/samson_agonistes_version_2_john_milton.mp3" length="54260043" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:author>Honoré de Balzac</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>A Distinguished Provincial at Paris (Un grand homme de province à Paris, 1839) is the second book in Balzac’s Lost Illusions trilogy, which is part of his sweeping set of novels collectively titled La Comédie Humaine. The story is set in...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA[A Distinguished Provincial at Paris (Un grand homme de province à Paris, 1839) is the second book in Balzac’s Lost Illusions trilogy, which is part of his sweeping set of novels collectively titled La Comédie Humaine. The story is set in post-Napoleonic France, when the new bourgeoisie was jostling for position alongside the old aristocracy. In the first volume of the trilogy (Two Poets, 1837), we met Lucien Chardon, an aspiring poet who feels stymied by the pettiness of provincial life. In the present volume, Lucien, now using the more aristocratic-sounding surname "de Rubempré," leaves behind his family in order to seek fame and fortune in the literary world of Paris. He is tested by challenges that are literary, social, financial, and ethical.Balzac’s work was hugely influential in the development of realism in fiction. The Lost Illusions trilogy is one of his greatest achievements, and is named in the reference work 1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die. The final volume in the trilogy is Ève and David (1843). - Summary by Bruce Pirie Other volumes in this series: Lost Illusions: Two PoetsLost Illusions: Ève and David]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>6776</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/ad05dda8f7c0ba50b18a272df9a648a9.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>Tudor and Stuart Love Songs-John Potter Briscoe</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/tudor-and-stuart-love-songs-john-potter-briscoe--74016988</link><description><![CDATA[A Distinguished Provincial at Paris (Un grand homme de province à Paris, 1839) is the second book in Balzac’s Lost Illusions trilogy, which is part of his sweeping set of novels collectively titled La Comédie Humaine. The story is set in post-Napoleonic France, when the new bourgeoisie was jostling for position alongside the old aristocracy. In the first volume of the trilogy (Two Poets, 1837), we met Lucien Chardon, an aspiring poet who feels stymied by the pettiness of provincial life. In the present volume, Lucien, now using the more aristocratic-sounding surname "de Rubempré," leaves behind his family in order to seek fame and fortune in the literary world of Paris. He is tested by challenges that are literary, social, financial, and ethical.Balzac’s work was hugely influential in the development of realism in fiction. The Lost Illusions trilogy is one of his greatest achievements, and is named in the reference work 1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die. The final volume in the trilogy is Ève and David (1843). - Summary by Bruce Pirie Other volumes in this series: Lost Illusions: Two PoetsLost Illusions: Ève and David]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74016988</guid><pubDate>Sun, 23 Aug 2026 09:01:56 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/74016988/tudor_and_stuart_love_songs_john_potter_briscoe.mp3" length="67445709" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:author>Honoré de Balzac</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>A Distinguished Provincial at Paris (Un grand homme de province à Paris, 1839) is the second book in Balzac’s Lost Illusions trilogy, which is part of his sweeping set of novels collectively titled La Comédie Humaine. The story is set in...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA[A Distinguished Provincial at Paris (Un grand homme de province à Paris, 1839) is the second book in Balzac’s Lost Illusions trilogy, which is part of his sweeping set of novels collectively titled La Comédie Humaine. The story is set in post-Napoleonic France, when the new bourgeoisie was jostling for position alongside the old aristocracy. In the first volume of the trilogy (Two Poets, 1837), we met Lucien Chardon, an aspiring poet who feels stymied by the pettiness of provincial life. In the present volume, Lucien, now using the more aristocratic-sounding surname "de Rubempré," leaves behind his family in order to seek fame and fortune in the literary world of Paris. He is tested by challenges that are literary, social, financial, and ethical.Balzac’s work was hugely influential in the development of realism in fiction. The Lost Illusions trilogy is one of his greatest achievements, and is named in the reference work 1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die. The final volume in the trilogy is Ève and David (1843). - Summary by Bruce Pirie Other volumes in this series: Lost Illusions: Two PoetsLost Illusions: Ève and David]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>8422</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/ad05dda8f7c0ba50b18a272df9a648a9.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>In the Garden of Delight-Lily Hammond</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/in-the-garden-of-delight-lily-hammond--73992668</link><description><![CDATA[A Distinguished Provincial at Paris (Un grand homme de province à Paris, 1839) is the second book in Balzac’s Lost Illusions trilogy, which is part of his sweeping set of novels collectively titled La Comédie Humaine. The story is set in post-Napoleonic France, when the new bourgeoisie was jostling for position alongside the old aristocracy. In the first volume of the trilogy (Two Poets, 1837), we met Lucien Chardon, an aspiring poet who feels stymied by the pettiness of provincial life. In the present volume, Lucien, now using the more aristocratic-sounding surname "de Rubempré," leaves behind his family in order to seek fame and fortune in the literary world of Paris. He is tested by challenges that are literary, social, financial, and ethical.Balzac’s work was hugely influential in the development of realism in fiction. The Lost Illusions trilogy is one of his greatest achievements, and is named in the reference work 1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die. The final volume in the trilogy is Ève and David (1843). - Summary by Bruce Pirie Other volumes in this series: Lost Illusions: Two PoetsLost Illusions: Ève and David]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/73992668</guid><pubDate>Sat, 22 Aug 2026 09:01:31 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/73992668/in_the_garden_of_delight_lily_hammond.mp3" length="175845959" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:author>Honoré de Balzac</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>A Distinguished Provincial at Paris (Un grand homme de province à Paris, 1839) is the second book in Balzac’s Lost Illusions trilogy, which is part of his sweeping set of novels collectively titled La Comédie Humaine. The story is set in...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA[A Distinguished Provincial at Paris (Un grand homme de province à Paris, 1839) is the second book in Balzac’s Lost Illusions trilogy, which is part of his sweeping set of novels collectively titled La Comédie Humaine. The story is set in post-Napoleonic France, when the new bourgeoisie was jostling for position alongside the old aristocracy. In the first volume of the trilogy (Two Poets, 1837), we met Lucien Chardon, an aspiring poet who feels stymied by the pettiness of provincial life. In the present volume, Lucien, now using the more aristocratic-sounding surname "de Rubempré," leaves behind his family in order to seek fame and fortune in the literary world of Paris. He is tested by challenges that are literary, social, financial, and ethical.Balzac’s work was hugely influential in the development of realism in fiction. The Lost Illusions trilogy is one of his greatest achievements, and is named in the reference work 1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die. The final volume in the trilogy is Ève and David (1843). - Summary by Bruce Pirie Other volumes in this series: Lost Illusions: Two PoetsLost Illusions: Ève and David]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>21959</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/ad05dda8f7c0ba50b18a272df9a648a9.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>Flowers of Evil-Charles Baudelaire, James Huneker</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/flowers-of-evil-charles-baudelaire-james-huneker--73969364</link><description><![CDATA[A Distinguished Provincial at Paris (Un grand homme de province à Paris, 1839) is the second book in Balzac’s Lost Illusions trilogy, which is part of his sweeping set of novels collectively titled La Comédie Humaine. The story is set in post-Napoleonic France, when the new bourgeoisie was jostling for position alongside the old aristocracy. In the first volume of the trilogy (Two Poets, 1837), we met Lucien Chardon, an aspiring poet who feels stymied by the pettiness of provincial life. In the present volume, Lucien, now using the more aristocratic-sounding surname "de Rubempré," leaves behind his family in order to seek fame and fortune in the literary world of Paris. He is tested by challenges that are literary, social, financial, and ethical.Balzac’s work was hugely influential in the development of realism in fiction. The Lost Illusions trilogy is one of his greatest achievements, and is named in the reference work 1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die. The final volume in the trilogy is Ève and David (1843). - Summary by Bruce Pirie Other volumes in this series: Lost Illusions: Two PoetsLost Illusions: Ève and David]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/73969364</guid><pubDate>Fri, 21 Aug 2026 09:01:33 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/73969364/flowers_of_evil_charles_baudelaire_james_huneker.mp3" length="53809748" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:author>Honoré de Balzac</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>A Distinguished Provincial at Paris (Un grand homme de province à Paris, 1839) is the second book in Balzac’s Lost Illusions trilogy, which is part of his sweeping set of novels collectively titled La Comédie Humaine. The story is set in...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA[A Distinguished Provincial at Paris (Un grand homme de province à Paris, 1839) is the second book in Balzac’s Lost Illusions trilogy, which is part of his sweeping set of novels collectively titled La Comédie Humaine. The story is set in post-Napoleonic France, when the new bourgeoisie was jostling for position alongside the old aristocracy. In the first volume of the trilogy (Two Poets, 1837), we met Lucien Chardon, an aspiring poet who feels stymied by the pettiness of provincial life. In the present volume, Lucien, now using the more aristocratic-sounding surname "de Rubempré," leaves behind his family in order to seek fame and fortune in the literary world of Paris. He is tested by challenges that are literary, social, financial, and ethical.Balzac’s work was hugely influential in the development of realism in fiction. The Lost Illusions trilogy is one of his greatest achievements, and is named in the reference work 1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die. The final volume in the trilogy is Ève and David (1843). - Summary by Bruce Pirie Other volumes in this series: Lost Illusions: Two PoetsLost Illusions: Ève and David]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>6719</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/ad05dda8f7c0ba50b18a272df9a648a9.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>Imperialism and World Politics, Part 3 of 4-Parker Thomas Moon</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/imperialism-and-world-politics-part-3-of-4-parker-thomas-moon--73946800</link><description><![CDATA[A Distinguished Provincial at Paris (Un grand homme de province à Paris, 1839) is the second book in Balzac’s Lost Illusions trilogy, which is part of his sweeping set of novels collectively titled La Comédie Humaine. The story is set in post-Napoleonic France, when the new bourgeoisie was jostling for position alongside the old aristocracy. In the first volume of the trilogy (Two Poets, 1837), we met Lucien Chardon, an aspiring poet who feels stymied by the pettiness of provincial life. In the present volume, Lucien, now using the more aristocratic-sounding surname "de Rubempré," leaves behind his family in order to seek fame and fortune in the literary world of Paris. He is tested by challenges that are literary, social, financial, and ethical.Balzac’s work was hugely influential in the development of realism in fiction. The Lost Illusions trilogy is one of his greatest achievements, and is named in the reference work 1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die. The final volume in the trilogy is Ève and David (1843). - Summary by Bruce Pirie Other volumes in this series: Lost Illusions: Two PoetsLost Illusions: Ève and David]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/73946800</guid><pubDate>Thu, 20 Aug 2026 09:01:43 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/73946800/20957_imperialism_and_world_politics_part_3_of_4_parker_thomas_moon.mp3" length="191104690" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:author>Honoré de Balzac</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>A Distinguished Provincial at Paris (Un grand homme de province à Paris, 1839) is the second book in Balzac’s Lost Illusions trilogy, which is part of his sweeping set of novels collectively titled La Comédie Humaine. The story is set in...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA[A Distinguished Provincial at Paris (Un grand homme de province à Paris, 1839) is the second book in Balzac’s Lost Illusions trilogy, which is part of his sweeping set of novels collectively titled La Comédie Humaine. The story is set in post-Napoleonic France, when the new bourgeoisie was jostling for position alongside the old aristocracy. In the first volume of the trilogy (Two Poets, 1837), we met Lucien Chardon, an aspiring poet who feels stymied by the pettiness of provincial life. In the present volume, Lucien, now using the more aristocratic-sounding surname "de Rubempré," leaves behind his family in order to seek fame and fortune in the literary world of Paris. He is tested by challenges that are literary, social, financial, and ethical.Balzac’s work was hugely influential in the development of realism in fiction. The Lost Illusions trilogy is one of his greatest achievements, and is named in the reference work 1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die. The final volume in the trilogy is Ève and David (1843). - Summary by Bruce Pirie Other volumes in this series: Lost Illusions: Two PoetsLost Illusions: Ève and David]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>23862</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/ad05dda8f7c0ba50b18a272df9a648a9.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>Short Nonfiction Collection, Vol. 080-Various</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/short-nonfiction-collection-vol-080-various--73921968</link><description><![CDATA[A Distinguished Provincial at Paris (Un grand homme de province à Paris, 1839) is the second book in Balzac’s Lost Illusions trilogy, which is part of his sweeping set of novels collectively titled La Comédie Humaine. The story is set in post-Napoleonic France, when the new bourgeoisie was jostling for position alongside the old aristocracy. In the first volume of the trilogy (Two Poets, 1837), we met Lucien Chardon, an aspiring poet who feels stymied by the pettiness of provincial life. In the present volume, Lucien, now using the more aristocratic-sounding surname "de Rubempré," leaves behind his family in order to seek fame and fortune in the literary world of Paris. He is tested by challenges that are literary, social, financial, and ethical.Balzac’s work was hugely influential in the development of realism in fiction. The Lost Illusions trilogy is one of his greatest achievements, and is named in the reference work 1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die. The final volume in the trilogy is Ève and David (1843). - Summary by Bruce Pirie Other volumes in this series: Lost Illusions: Two PoetsLost Illusions: Ève and David]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/73921968</guid><pubDate>Wed, 19 Aug 2026 09:01:17 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/73921968/short_nonfiction_collection_vol_080_various.mp3" length="204890261" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:author>Honoré de Balzac</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>A Distinguished Provincial at Paris (Un grand homme de province à Paris, 1839) is the second book in Balzac’s Lost Illusions trilogy, which is part of his sweeping set of novels collectively titled La Comédie Humaine. The story is set in...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA[A Distinguished Provincial at Paris (Un grand homme de province à Paris, 1839) is the second book in Balzac’s Lost Illusions trilogy, which is part of his sweeping set of novels collectively titled La Comédie Humaine. The story is set in post-Napoleonic France, when the new bourgeoisie was jostling for position alongside the old aristocracy. In the first volume of the trilogy (Two Poets, 1837), we met Lucien Chardon, an aspiring poet who feels stymied by the pettiness of provincial life. In the present volume, Lucien, now using the more aristocratic-sounding surname "de Rubempré," leaves behind his family in order to seek fame and fortune in the literary world of Paris. He is tested by challenges that are literary, social, financial, and ethical.Balzac’s work was hugely influential in the development of realism in fiction. The Lost Illusions trilogy is one of his greatest achievements, and is named in the reference work 1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die. The final volume in the trilogy is Ève and David (1843). - Summary by Bruce Pirie Other volumes in this series: Lost Illusions: Two PoetsLost Illusions: Ève and David]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>25586</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/ad05dda8f7c0ba50b18a272df9a648a9.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>History of the Kingdom of Siam-François-Henri Turpin</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/history-of-the-kingdom-of-siam-francois-henri-turpin--73897091</link><description><![CDATA[A Distinguished Provincial at Paris (Un grand homme de province à Paris, 1839) is the second book in Balzac’s Lost Illusions trilogy, which is part of his sweeping set of novels collectively titled La Comédie Humaine. The story is set in post-Napoleonic France, when the new bourgeoisie was jostling for position alongside the old aristocracy. In the first volume of the trilogy (Two Poets, 1837), we met Lucien Chardon, an aspiring poet who feels stymied by the pettiness of provincial life. In the present volume, Lucien, now using the more aristocratic-sounding surname "de Rubempré," leaves behind his family in order to seek fame and fortune in the literary world of Paris. He is tested by challenges that are literary, social, financial, and ethical.Balzac’s work was hugely influential in the development of realism in fiction. The Lost Illusions trilogy is one of his greatest achievements, and is named in the reference work 1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die. The final volume in the trilogy is Ève and David (1843). - Summary by Bruce Pirie Other volumes in this series: Lost Illusions: Two PoetsLost Illusions: Ève and David]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/73897091</guid><pubDate>Tue, 18 Aug 2026 09:01:48 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/73897091/history_of_the_kingdom_of_siam_franc_ois_henri_turpin.mp3" length="207818390" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:author>Honoré de Balzac</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>A Distinguished Provincial at Paris (Un grand homme de province à Paris, 1839) is the second book in Balzac’s Lost Illusions trilogy, which is part of his sweeping set of novels collectively titled La Comédie Humaine. The story is set in...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA[A Distinguished Provincial at Paris (Un grand homme de province à Paris, 1839) is the second book in Balzac’s Lost Illusions trilogy, which is part of his sweeping set of novels collectively titled La Comédie Humaine. The story is set in post-Napoleonic France, when the new bourgeoisie was jostling for position alongside the old aristocracy. In the first volume of the trilogy (Two Poets, 1837), we met Lucien Chardon, an aspiring poet who feels stymied by the pettiness of provincial life. In the present volume, Lucien, now using the more aristocratic-sounding surname "de Rubempré," leaves behind his family in order to seek fame and fortune in the literary world of Paris. He is tested by challenges that are literary, social, financial, and ethical.Balzac’s work was hugely influential in the development of realism in fiction. The Lost Illusions trilogy is one of his greatest achievements, and is named in the reference work 1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die. The final volume in the trilogy is Ève and David (1843). - Summary by Bruce Pirie Other volumes in this series: Lost Illusions: Two PoetsLost Illusions: Ève and David]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>25952</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/ad05dda8f7c0ba50b18a272df9a648a9.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>Duchess of Langeais-Honoré de Balzac</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/duchess-of-langeais-honore-de-balzac--73872754</link><description><![CDATA[A Distinguished Provincial at Paris (Un grand homme de province à Paris, 1839) is the second book in Balzac’s Lost Illusions trilogy, which is part of his sweeping set of novels collectively titled La Comédie Humaine. The story is set in post-Napoleonic France, when the new bourgeoisie was jostling for position alongside the old aristocracy. In the first volume of the trilogy (Two Poets, 1837), we met Lucien Chardon, an aspiring poet who feels stymied by the pettiness of provincial life. In the present volume, Lucien, now using the more aristocratic-sounding surname "de Rubempré," leaves behind his family in order to seek fame and fortune in the literary world of Paris. He is tested by challenges that are literary, social, financial, and ethical.Balzac’s work was hugely influential in the development of realism in fiction. The Lost Illusions trilogy is one of his greatest achievements, and is named in the reference work 1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die. The final volume in the trilogy is Ève and David (1843). - Summary by Bruce Pirie Other volumes in this series: Lost Illusions: Two PoetsLost Illusions: Ève and David]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/73872754</guid><pubDate>Mon, 17 Aug 2026 09:01:42 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/73872754/duchess_of_langeais_honore_de_balzac.mp3" length="208683253" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:author>Honoré de Balzac</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>A Distinguished Provincial at Paris (Un grand homme de province à Paris, 1839) is the second book in Balzac’s Lost Illusions trilogy, which is part of his sweeping set of novels collectively titled La Comédie Humaine. The story is set in...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA[A Distinguished Provincial at Paris (Un grand homme de province à Paris, 1839) is the second book in Balzac’s Lost Illusions trilogy, which is part of his sweeping set of novels collectively titled La Comédie Humaine. The story is set in post-Napoleonic France, when the new bourgeoisie was jostling for position alongside the old aristocracy. In the first volume of the trilogy (Two Poets, 1837), we met Lucien Chardon, an aspiring poet who feels stymied by the pettiness of provincial life. In the present volume, Lucien, now using the more aristocratic-sounding surname "de Rubempré," leaves behind his family in order to seek fame and fortune in the literary world of Paris. He is tested by challenges that are literary, social, financial, and ethical.Balzac’s work was hugely influential in the development of realism in fiction. The Lost Illusions trilogy is one of his greatest achievements, and is named in the reference work 1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die. The final volume in the trilogy is Ève and David (1843). - Summary by Bruce Pirie Other volumes in this series: Lost Illusions: Two PoetsLost Illusions: Ève and David]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>26059</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/ad05dda8f7c0ba50b18a272df9a648a9.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>Commission in Lunacy-Honoré de Balzac</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/commission-in-lunacy-honore-de-balzac--73852183</link><description><![CDATA[A Distinguished Provincial at Paris (Un grand homme de province à Paris, 1839) is the second book in Balzac’s Lost Illusions trilogy, which is part of his sweeping set of novels collectively titled La Comédie Humaine. The story is set in post-Napoleonic France, when the new bourgeoisie was jostling for position alongside the old aristocracy. In the first volume of the trilogy (Two Poets, 1837), we met Lucien Chardon, an aspiring poet who feels stymied by the pettiness of provincial life. In the present volume, Lucien, now using the more aristocratic-sounding surname "de Rubempré," leaves behind his family in order to seek fame and fortune in the literary world of Paris. He is tested by challenges that are literary, social, financial, and ethical.Balzac’s work was hugely influential in the development of realism in fiction. The Lost Illusions trilogy is one of his greatest achievements, and is named in the reference work 1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die. The final volume in the trilogy is Ève and David (1843). - Summary by Bruce Pirie Other volumes in this series: Lost Illusions: Two PoetsLost Illusions: Ève and David]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/73852183</guid><pubDate>Sun, 16 Aug 2026 09:01:33 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/73852183/commission_in_lunacy_honore_de_balzac.mp3" length="103727665" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:author>Honoré de Balzac</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>A Distinguished Provincial at Paris (Un grand homme de province à Paris, 1839) is the second book in Balzac’s Lost Illusions trilogy, which is part of his sweeping set of novels collectively titled La Comédie Humaine. The story is set in...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA[A Distinguished Provincial at Paris (Un grand homme de province à Paris, 1839) is the second book in Balzac’s Lost Illusions trilogy, which is part of his sweeping set of novels collectively titled La Comédie Humaine. The story is set in post-Napoleonic France, when the new bourgeoisie was jostling for position alongside the old aristocracy. In the first volume of the trilogy (Two Poets, 1837), we met Lucien Chardon, an aspiring poet who feels stymied by the pettiness of provincial life. In the present volume, Lucien, now using the more aristocratic-sounding surname "de Rubempré," leaves behind his family in order to seek fame and fortune in the literary world of Paris. He is tested by challenges that are literary, social, financial, and ethical.Balzac’s work was hugely influential in the development of realism in fiction. The Lost Illusions trilogy is one of his greatest achievements, and is named in the reference work 1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die. The final volume in the trilogy is Ève and David (1843). - Summary by Bruce Pirie Other volumes in this series: Lost Illusions: Two PoetsLost Illusions: Ève and David]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>12953</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/ad05dda8f7c0ba50b18a272df9a648a9.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>History Of Egypt, Chaldea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, Vol. 1-Gaston Maspero</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/history-of-egypt-chaldea-syria-babylonia-and-assyria-vol-1-gaston-maspero--73835562</link><description><![CDATA[A Distinguished Provincial at Paris (Un grand homme de province à Paris, 1839) is the second book in Balzac’s Lost Illusions trilogy, which is part of his sweeping set of novels collectively titled La Comédie Humaine. The story is set in post-Napoleonic France, when the new bourgeoisie was jostling for position alongside the old aristocracy. In the first volume of the trilogy (Two Poets, 1837), we met Lucien Chardon, an aspiring poet who feels stymied by the pettiness of provincial life. In the present volume, Lucien, now using the more aristocratic-sounding surname "de Rubempré," leaves behind his family in order to seek fame and fortune in the literary world of Paris. He is tested by challenges that are literary, social, financial, and ethical.Balzac’s work was hugely influential in the development of realism in fiction. The Lost Illusions trilogy is one of his greatest achievements, and is named in the reference work 1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die. The final volume in the trilogy is Ève and David (1843). - Summary by Bruce Pirie Other volumes in this series: Lost Illusions: Two PoetsLost Illusions: Ève and David]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/73835562</guid><pubDate>Sat, 15 Aug 2026 09:02:27 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/73835562/history_of_egypt_chaldea_syria_babylonia_and_assyria_vol_1_gaston_maspero.mp3" length="209749144" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:author>Honoré de Balzac</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>A Distinguished Provincial at Paris (Un grand homme de province à Paris, 1839) is the second book in Balzac’s Lost Illusions trilogy, which is part of his sweeping set of novels collectively titled La Comédie Humaine. The story is set in...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA[A Distinguished Provincial at Paris (Un grand homme de province à Paris, 1839) is the second book in Balzac’s Lost Illusions trilogy, which is part of his sweeping set of novels collectively titled La Comédie Humaine. The story is set in post-Napoleonic France, when the new bourgeoisie was jostling for position alongside the old aristocracy. In the first volume of the trilogy (Two Poets, 1837), we met Lucien Chardon, an aspiring poet who feels stymied by the pettiness of provincial life. In the present volume, Lucien, now using the more aristocratic-sounding surname "de Rubempré," leaves behind his family in order to seek fame and fortune in the literary world of Paris. He is tested by challenges that are literary, social, financial, and ethical.Balzac’s work was hugely influential in the development of realism in fiction. The Lost Illusions trilogy is one of his greatest achievements, and is named in the reference work 1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die. The final volume in the trilogy is Ève and David (1843). - Summary by Bruce Pirie Other volumes in this series: Lost Illusions: Two PoetsLost Illusions: Ève and David]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>26192</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/ad05dda8f7c0ba50b18a272df9a648a9.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>Festive Wreath-Various</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/festive-wreath-various--73799305</link><description><![CDATA[A Distinguished Provincial at Paris (Un grand homme de province à Paris, 1839) is the second book in Balzac’s Lost Illusions trilogy, which is part of his sweeping set of novels collectively titled La Comédie Humaine. The story is set in post-Napoleonic France, when the new bourgeoisie was jostling for position alongside the old aristocracy. In the first volume of the trilogy (Two Poets, 1837), we met Lucien Chardon, an aspiring poet who feels stymied by the pettiness of provincial life. In the present volume, Lucien, now using the more aristocratic-sounding surname "de Rubempré," leaves behind his family in order to seek fame and fortune in the literary world of Paris. He is tested by challenges that are literary, social, financial, and ethical.Balzac’s work was hugely influential in the development of realism in fiction. The Lost Illusions trilogy is one of his greatest achievements, and is named in the reference work 1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die. The final volume in the trilogy is Ève and David (1843). - Summary by Bruce Pirie Other volumes in this series: Lost Illusions: Two PoetsLost Illusions: Ève and David]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/73799305</guid><pubDate>Tue, 11 Aug 2026 05:07:30 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/73799305/festive_wreath_various.mp3" length="40584725" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:author>Honoré de Balzac</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>A Distinguished Provincial at Paris (Un grand homme de province à Paris, 1839) is the second book in Balzac’s Lost Illusions trilogy, which is part of his sweeping set of novels collectively titled La Comédie Humaine. The story is set in...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA[A Distinguished Provincial at Paris (Un grand homme de province à Paris, 1839) is the second book in Balzac’s Lost Illusions trilogy, which is part of his sweeping set of novels collectively titled La Comédie Humaine. The story is set in post-Napoleonic France, when the new bourgeoisie was jostling for position alongside the old aristocracy. In the first volume of the trilogy (Two Poets, 1837), we met Lucien Chardon, an aspiring poet who feels stymied by the pettiness of provincial life. In the present volume, Lucien, now using the more aristocratic-sounding surname "de Rubempré," leaves behind his family in order to seek fame and fortune in the literary world of Paris. He is tested by challenges that are literary, social, financial, and ethical.Balzac’s work was hugely influential in the development of realism in fiction. The Lost Illusions trilogy is one of his greatest achievements, and is named in the reference work 1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die. The final volume in the trilogy is Ève and David (1843). - Summary by Bruce Pirie Other volumes in this series: Lost Illusions: Two PoetsLost Illusions: Ève and David]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>5068</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/ad05dda8f7c0ba50b18a272df9a648a9.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>Eugénie Grandet-Honoré de Balzac</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/eugenie-grandet-honore-de-balzac--73343463</link><description><![CDATA[Eugénie Grandet by Honoré de Balzac is a poignant exploration of wealth, ambition, and the human spirit set against the backdrop of provincial France. The story delves into the complexities of familial relationships and the impact of greed, making it a timeless reflection on the moral dilemmas that arise from the pursuit of material success. With its rich characterizations and intricate social dynamics, this novel continues to resonate today as it highlights the eternal struggle between love and ambition, and the sacrifices made in the name of both. Listening to Eugénie Grandet offers profound insights into human nature and the societal pressures that shape our lives, making it a compelling choice for contemporary audiences.]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/73343463</guid><pubDate>Sun, 02 Aug 2026 17:24:00 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/73343463/euge_nie_grandet_honore_de_balzac.mp3" length="210070181" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:author>Honoré de Balzac</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>Eugénie Grandet by Honoré de Balzac is a poignant exploration of wealth, ambition, and the human spirit set against the backdrop of provincial France. The story delves into the complexities of familial relationships and the impact of greed, making it...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA[Eugénie Grandet by Honoré de Balzac is a poignant exploration of wealth, ambition, and the human spirit set against the backdrop of provincial France. The story delves into the complexities of familial relationships and the impact of greed, making it a timeless reflection on the moral dilemmas that arise from the pursuit of material success. With its rich characterizations and intricate social dynamics, this novel continues to resonate today as it highlights the eternal struggle between love and ambition, and the sacrifices made in the name of both. Listening to Eugénie Grandet offers profound insights into human nature and the societal pressures that shape our lives, making it a compelling choice for contemporary audiences.]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>26233</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/ad05dda8f7c0ba50b18a272df9a648a9.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>Lost Illusions A Distinguished Provincial at Paris - Honore de Balzac - Part 2</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/lost-illusions-a-distinguished-provincial-at-paris-honore-de-balzac-part-2--72389402</link><description><![CDATA[A Distinguished Provincial at Paris (Un grand homme de province à Paris, 1839) is the second book in Balzac’s Lost Illusions trilogy, which is part of his sweeping set of novels collectively titled La Comédie Humaine. The story is set in post-Napoleonic France, when the new bourgeoisie was jostling for position alongside the old aristocracy. In the first volume of the trilogy (Two Poets, 1837), we met Lucien Chardon, an aspiring poet who feels stymied by the pettiness of provincial life. In the present volume, Lucien, now using the more aristocratic-sounding surname "de Rubempré," leaves behind his family in order to seek fame and fortune in the literary world of Paris. He is tested by challenges that are literary, social, financial, and ethical.Balzac’s work was hugely influential in the development of realism in fiction. The Lost Illusions trilogy is one of his greatest achievements, and is named in the reference work 1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die. The final volume in the trilogy is Ève and David (1843). - Summary by Bruce Pirie Other volumes in this series: Lost Illusions: Two PoetsLost Illusions: Ève and David]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72389402</guid><pubDate>Sun, 07 Jun 2026 09:00:22 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/72389402/lost_illusions_a_distinguished_provincial_at_paris_honore_de_balzac_part_2.mp3" length="120508747" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:author>Honoré de Balzac</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>A Distinguished Provincial at Paris (Un grand homme de province à Paris, 1839) is the second book in Balzac’s Lost Illusions trilogy, which is part of his sweeping set of novels collectively titled La Comédie Humaine. The story is set in...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA[A Distinguished Provincial at Paris (Un grand homme de province à Paris, 1839) is the second book in Balzac’s Lost Illusions trilogy, which is part of his sweeping set of novels collectively titled La Comédie Humaine. The story is set in post-Napoleonic France, when the new bourgeoisie was jostling for position alongside the old aristocracy. In the first volume of the trilogy (Two Poets, 1837), we met Lucien Chardon, an aspiring poet who feels stymied by the pettiness of provincial life. In the present volume, Lucien, now using the more aristocratic-sounding surname "de Rubempré," leaves behind his family in order to seek fame and fortune in the literary world of Paris. He is tested by challenges that are literary, social, financial, and ethical.Balzac’s work was hugely influential in the development of realism in fiction. The Lost Illusions trilogy is one of his greatest achievements, and is named in the reference work 1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die. The final volume in the trilogy is Ève and David (1843). - Summary by Bruce Pirie Other volumes in this series: Lost Illusions: Two PoetsLost Illusions: Ève and David]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>15064</itunes:duration><itunes:keywords>balzac,distinguished,homme,illusions,literary,lost,lucien,paris,provincial,trilogy</itunes:keywords><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/ad05dda8f7c0ba50b18a272df9a648a9.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>Lost Illusions A Distinguished Provincial at Paris - Honore de Balzac - Part 1</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/lost-illusions-a-distinguished-provincial-at-paris-honore-de-balzac-part-1--72389400</link><description><![CDATA[A Distinguished Provincial at Paris (Un grand homme de province à Paris, 1839) is the second book in Balzac’s Lost Illusions trilogy, which is part of his sweeping set of novels collectively titled La Comédie Humaine. The story is set in post-Napoleonic France, when the new bourgeoisie was jostling for position alongside the old aristocracy. In the first volume of the trilogy (Two Poets, 1837), we met Lucien Chardon, an aspiring poet who feels stymied by the pettiness of provincial life. In the present volume, Lucien, now using the more aristocratic-sounding surname "de Rubempré," leaves behind his family in order to seek fame and fortune in the literary world of Paris. He is tested by challenges that are literary, social, financial, and ethical.Balzac’s work was hugely influential in the development of realism in fiction. The Lost Illusions trilogy is one of his greatest achievements, and is named in the reference work 1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die. The final volume in the trilogy is Ève and David (1843). - Summary by Bruce Pirie Other volumes in this series: Lost Illusions: Two PoetsLost Illusions: Ève and David]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72389400</guid><pubDate>Sat, 06 Jun 2026 15:51:47 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/72389400/lost_illusions_a_distinguished_provincial_at_paris_honore_de_balzac_part_1.mp3" length="275880470" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:author>Honoré de Balzac</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>A Distinguished Provincial at Paris (Un grand homme de province à Paris, 1839) is the second book in Balzac’s Lost Illusions trilogy, which is part of his sweeping set of novels collectively titled La Comédie Humaine. The story is set in...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA[A Distinguished Provincial at Paris (Un grand homme de province à Paris, 1839) is the second book in Balzac’s Lost Illusions trilogy, which is part of his sweeping set of novels collectively titled La Comédie Humaine. The story is set in post-Napoleonic France, when the new bourgeoisie was jostling for position alongside the old aristocracy. In the first volume of the trilogy (Two Poets, 1837), we met Lucien Chardon, an aspiring poet who feels stymied by the pettiness of provincial life. In the present volume, Lucien, now using the more aristocratic-sounding surname "de Rubempré," leaves behind his family in order to seek fame and fortune in the literary world of Paris. He is tested by challenges that are literary, social, financial, and ethical.Balzac’s work was hugely influential in the development of realism in fiction. The Lost Illusions trilogy is one of his greatest achievements, and is named in the reference work 1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die. The final volume in the trilogy is Ève and David (1843). - Summary by Bruce Pirie Other volumes in this series: Lost Illusions: Two PoetsLost Illusions: Ève and David]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>34486</itunes:duration><itunes:keywords>balzac,distinguished,homme,illusions,literary,lost,lucien,paris,provincial,trilogy</itunes:keywords><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/ad05dda8f7c0ba50b18a272df9a648a9.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item></channel></rss>
