Brotherhood of Consolation

The Brotherhood of Consolation is a novel by Honore de Balzac, part of his larger series, La Comedie Humaine, first published in 1830. Set in the aftermath of the French Revolution, the story revolves around the lives of two contrasting protagonists, Theodose de la Peyrade and Thuillier, who become entangled in the complex world of Parisian politics and society. Theodose is a cunning and ambitious lawyer, while Thuillier is a wealthy but naive retired silk merchant. As they navigate the intrigues of post-revolutionary France, they form an unlikely alliance, driven by their mutual interests and desires for social advancement. Through vivid characterization and intricate plotlines, Balzac explores themes of ambition, betrayal, and the pursuit of power. The Brotherhood of Consolation offers a rich tapestry of 19th-century French society, capturing the tumultuous period of transition and upheaval with insight and depth.