The Collection of Antiquities

The Collection of Antiquities is a novel written by the renowned French writer Honore de Balzac. The book takes the reader on a journey through the life of the wealthy and eccentric collector, Monsieur de Merret. The story begins with Monsieur de Merret's obsession with collecting rare and valuable antiquities, which he displays in his grand mansion.As the novel progresses, it becomes clear that Monsieur de Merret's obsession with collecting is not just a hobby but a way of escaping the emptiness of his life. He is a man haunted by a past mistake, and his collection serves as a reminder of his past glory.The plot thickens when Monsieur de Merret's former lover, Madame de Lanty, returns to Paris after a long absence. She is now married to a wealthy banker and seeks to rekindle her affair with Monsieur de Merret. The two engage in a passionate and dangerous love affair, which ultimately leads to Monsieur de Merret's downfall.The Collection of Antiquities is a novel that explores themes of love, obsession, and the human desire for connection and meaning. Balzac's vivid descriptions and complex characters make this novel a must-read for anyone interested in French literature or the human condition.This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.