COMPLETE - The Two Brothers, by Honoré de Balzac - icequeen

[beeber]

Chapter 9 is ready for PL.

By this point, one might wonder whether we had stumbled into a whole other novel. ("Whatever happened to Agathe and Joseph and Philippe??") Be assured, however, that Agathe and Joseph are, at this very moment, in a coach on their way to Issoudun, and will be re-entering the story soon. (In the meantime, notice how Max Gilet is a odd kind of mirror reflection of Philippe: an ex-Napoleonic officer with questionable ethics and a grudge against the Bourbons. A clash between these two characters is being set up.)

Bruce

[Winnifred]

It certainly does seem like another novel! I can see how there's some kind of reflection being set up. It will be interesting to see how it all plays out. The Rabouilleuse is far more cunning than she first appears.

PL OK!

Cheers,

[beeber]

Chapter 10 is ready for PL.

One correction:
At 40:30, the text reads, "the supposed parentage and both Max and Agathe." It should be "the supposed parentage of both Max and Agathe."

You'll notice a little passage in which the narrator makes a pronouncement about the way "all women" are. His opinions are, ahem, a little old-fashioned. Yet it's a relief to see that Balzac is so restrained here. In some of his earlier books, he was always going on, tiresomely, about "what women are like."

Bruce

[Winnifred]

Chapter 10 is PL OK.

That correction makes sense (the original makes none).

When this chapter started, I almost wondered whether Rouget wasn't being poisoned by Max and the Rabouilleuse (because of the description of his decline in the first paragraph), but I don't think that was Balzac's intention. However, they certainly are a despicable pair (and Hochon's not much better).

I don't think Balzac really liked any of these characters (except maybe Joseph).

Cheers,

[beeber]

I don't think Balzac really liked any of these characters (except maybe Joseph.

In this chapter, I think you'll see that he also likes Madame Hochon. He writes about her with a warmth that makes me think he has based this character on some real person of his acquaintance.

One textual correction: At 15:45, the text reads, "and as her mother filled each of them...." It should be, "as her grandmother...."

Chapter 11 is ready for PL.

[Winnifred]

In this chapter, I think you'll see that he also likes Madame Hochon. He writes about her with a warmth that makes me think he has based this character on some real person of his acquaintance.

One textual correction: At 15:45, the text reads, "and as her mother filled each of them...." It should be, "as her grandmother...."

Chapter 11 is ready for PL.

Yes, your correction makes perfect sense. And I see too Balzac's regard for Madame Hochon.

I have a PL note for you: There's a couple of missed words at 14:54: I hear “‘I am too weary of life to remain here on canvas.’” But the text reads “‘I am too weary of life to wish to remain here on canvas.’”

For someone so wordy, Balzac can occasionally say so much with just a few well-chosen words: “Mesdames…., decorated with their husbands, here entered the room.”

Cheers,

[beeber]

There's a couple of missed words at 14:54: I hear “‘I am too weary of life to remain here on canvas.’” But the text reads “‘I am too weary of life to wish to remain here on canvas.’”

Thank you! Chapter 11 has been corrected and re-uploaded.
Bruce

[Winnifred]

There's a couple of missed words at 14:54: I hear “‘I am too weary of life to remain here on canvas.’” But the text reads “‘I am too weary of life to wish to remain here on canvas.’”

Thank you! Chapter 11 has been corrected and re-uploaded.
Bruce

PL Ok now!

Cheers,

[beeber]

Chapter 12 is ready for PL.

One tiny correction to the text: at 23:43, the text reads, "genius of the Mascarilles and Scapins out together...." It should be "genius of the Mascarilles and Scapins put together...."

Bruce

[Winnifred]

Chapter 12 is PL OK. Your correction makes perfect sense.

Joseph is far too honest and naive. He should just hold on to the paintings, as that may be all they get.

Cheers,

[beeber]

Chapter 13 is ready for PL.

A very eventful chapter; things take unexpected turns.

Bruce

[Winnifred]

Chapter 13 is ready for PL.

A very eventful chapter; things take unexpected turns.

Bruce

I'll say! I was starting to wonder how Philippe and Max were going to be brought into each other's company. I'm sure the next chapter will be equally eventful.

PL OK!

Cheers,

[beeber]

Chapter 14 is ready for PL.

Now that we're nearing the end of the book, the battle-lines have been drawn, and I guess it's fair to say that in terms of the plot the essential question has now become: when this is all finished, who will turn out to have had "the last laugh"? Will it be Joseph, Philippe, Max, or the Rabouilleuse? Or maybe even old Rouget?

Bruce

[Winnifred]

Chapter 14 is ready for PL.

Now that we're nearing the end of the book, the battle-lines have been drawn, and I guess it's fair to say that in terms of the plot the essential question has now become: when this is all finished, who will turn out to have had "the last laugh"? Will it be Joseph, Philippe, Max, or the Rabouilleuse? Or maybe even old Rouget?

Bruce

Aha! the thot plickens! I hope it will be Joseph, but I fear it will be one of the others. I think I'd be ok with it being Rouget, though.

PL OK!

Cheers,

[beeber]

Chapter 15 is ready for PL.

There is one correction the text. At 43:32, the text reads, "That it was that a stupid point of honour...." It should be "Thus it was...."

Bruce