First published in 1983. Balzac's novels are one of the largest and most important sources for the history of post-revolutionary France, but they have scarcely been tapped as they should be. Approaching the subject from the perspective of a literary, the author shows in detail how specific historical circumstances and movement are reflected in the novels, and indicates the consistency and profundity of Balzac's analysis of contemporary French society. Above all, attention is concentrated on Balzac's examination of the shift in class relationships resulting from the revolutionary settlement. This book will be of interest to students of literature, history and sociology.