Cousin Bette

Honoré de Balzac · 1799–1850 · France

Originally La Cousine Bette (French)

Why it matters

Balzac's darkest masterpiece: a poor relation's patient, total revenge on the family that slighted her. Envy has never been anatomized more thoroughly: late Balzac at his most ferocious.

At a glance

Large cast and intricate financial schemes require sustained tracking.