Cousin Pons

The kindly, unworldly musician Sylvain Pons, a passionate collector of art, becomes the target of relatives and schemers greedy for his priceless collection, in a bitter, moving tale of ingratitude and predatory greed. Balzac paints a devastating picture of a good man destroyed by the avarice of those around him, redeemed only by the loyal friendship of his fellow musician Schmucke. Rich in character and social observation, Cousin Pons is one of the darkest and most powerful novels of the Human Comedy. A poignant study of innocence preyed upon by a mercenary world, it is Balzac at his most compassionate and his most scathing about the cruelty money breeds.