A Man of Business

"A Man of Business" by Honoré de Balzac is a novel written in the early to mid-19th century, during the period of the French Restoration. The book dives into the complex world of Parisian finance, exploring themes such as debt, social status, and the intricate relationships between creditors and debtors. It is set against the backdrop of Balzac’s larger literary universe known as "La Comédie Humaine," where it connects to various characters and narratives. The story revolves around Maxime de Trailles, a cunning and unprincipled aristocrat, and two unscrupulous businessmen, Cerizet and Claparon, who engage in dubious financial dealings. Throughout the narrative, Maxime navigates complicated relationships with various women while attempting to evade his debts. The plot converges on a duel of wits between Maxime and Cerizet, with tensions arising from credit agreements and personal vendettas. The interactions are laced with humor and satire, capturing the essence of Parisian society, where status and finance often govern personal relationships, ultimately illustrating Balzac's critique of the social and economic dynamics of his time. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Honoré de Balzac was a French novelist and playwright. The novel sequence La Comédie humaine, which presents a panorama of post-Napoleonic French life, is generally viewed as his magnum opus.