Ball at Sceaux

In the enchanting novella “The Ball at Sceaux,” part of Balzac’s monumental series “The Human Comedy,” we are introduced to Émilie de Fontaine, the spirited youngest daughter of a noble yet struggling family in post-revolutionary France. With her father desperately seeking a suitable match, Émilie, headstrong and somewhat spoiled, has stubbornly dismissed all suitors who do not meet her lofty standards. Among her demands? A husband must be “the son of a peer of France.” As she clings to her ideals, the unfolding events reveal the ironies of love and social status. Balzac’s keen sense of realism and wit not only brought this era to life but also left an indelible mark on European literature. - Summary by Bruce Pirie