The second, President Cruchot des Bonfons, is Felix’s lawyer’s nephew. The first, Adolphe, is the son of Felix’s banker, des Grassins. Eugenie, who is as closely protected by her father as his treasured wealth, has two primary suitors whose families make frequent visits to the house. Felix has a reputation as a miser and the family-consisting of Felix, his wife, their daughter, Eugenie, and a servant, Nanon-lives in an old house that has become run-down because Felix refuses to spend the money needed to make repairs. Felix Grandet used to work as a cooper (someone who makes and repairs casks and barrels) but became suddenly wealthy after he inherited three estates in one year and undertook several successful business ventures. The story takes place in the town of Saumur in Western France. The novel’s revised second edition was dedicated to Balzac’s lover Maria Du Fresnay-it was later revealed that the character Eugenie was based on their daughter, Marie-Caroline Du Fresnay. Published in 1833, Eugenie Grandet tells the story of a young woman whose wealthy but tightfisted father tries to arrange the most financially advantageous marriage for her when she falls in love with her penniless cousin. Eugenie Grandet was the first of the interlinked novels included in nineteenth-century French author Honoré de Balzac’s multi-volume collection, La Comedie Humaine, telling stories ranging from the Restoration through the July Monarchy era of French society, which, according to Balzac, was consumed by the desire for wealth and power.
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