Colonel Chabert (Version 2)

In the gripping short novel “Colonel Chabert” (1832), part of Balzac’s monumental series “The Human Comedy,” we are drawn into the tumultuous aftermath of the Napoleonic Wars. Colonel Chabert, a valiant officer, is declared dead after a fierce battle, leading his wife to inherit his fortune and remarry. However, when Chabert miraculously survives and returns to Paris, he is faced with the daunting challenge of reclaiming his life and legacy. This poignant tale explores the clash between the enduring values of honor and integrity and the ruthless greed that pervades society in the wake of Napoleon’s reign. - Summary by Bruce Pirie