…. and I am very pleased with the result.
I knew that I would be, because I really wanted to read every one of the books on my spin list. But I’m particularly pleased with this one, because it’s by an author I’ve wanted to read for a long time, because it’s been on my list from the very start, and because I think it will contrast well with the other books I have in mind to read this month.
Number two brought me:
‘Old Goriot’ by Honoré de Balzac (1835)
“Monsieur Goriot is one of a select group of lodgers at Madame Vauquer’s Parisian boarding house. At first his wealth inspires respect, but as his circumstances are reduced he is shunned by those around him, and soon his only remaining visitors are two beautiful, mysterious young women. Goriot claims that they are his daughters, but his fellow boarders, including master criminal Vautrin, have other ideas. And when Eugène Rastignac, a poor but ambitious law student, learns the truth, he decides to turn it to his advantage. Old Goriot is one of the key novels of Balzac’s Comédie Humaine series, and a compelling examination of two obsessions, love and money. Witty and brilliantly detailed, it is a superb study of the bourgeoisie in the years following the French Revolution.~
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Did you spin?
What are you going to read this month?
Fleur in her World 
I read this while I was a French major, in college – before switching to history. I remember very little of it, and I’ve always meant to re-read it, and to read more of Balzac. I hope you enjoy it!
I hope so to, because I like the look of his other books.
Luck you! I wish I’d get a Balzac. I can’t wait for our introduction!
Wishing you lots of happy reading with this one!
I’ve only glanced at the opening, but already I’m thinking that this book looks very promising.
I’ve never read this one, even though my friend has been pushing it my way for years. I’m looking forward to reading your review. Enjoy!
I’ve received many recommendations for this one, so I hop I’ll soon be seconding your friend.
It does sound like one that will be a little different . I haven’t read Balzac either but hope you enjoy it and will look forward to your thoughts.
It is different, but I like the boarding house setting and I’ve been wanting to try Balzac for a long time.
I remember really enjoying this. Enjoy.
Thank you – it’s good to hear from someone who has enjoyed the book.
It is a brilliant book …..there is also a French film with Charkes Aznavour ( yes, I know !!) playing Goriot which is v good !
It’s good to have another recommendation – and I’ll look out for the film – unlikely casting often works very well!
It is years since I read any Balzac – can’t remember if I read this one or not. I think it will be brilliant though.
This one went on my list after a LibraryThing group read. I didn’t have the book, but when I saw many positive comments I had to order a copy.
I’m looking forward to your review of this one as Balzac has been on my list of ‘must try’ authors for some time. I hope you enjoy it.
I’ll let you know – it looks very promising and the little I’ve read was very readable.
I hope you enjoy this it sounds really interesting. The spin chose The Jungle Book by Rudyard Kipling for me 🙂
I’ll be very interested to know how you get on with ‘The Jungle Book’. I love the film, I could sing you the songs, but I’d never thought about reading the book.
This is another author who intimidates me …but I await your thoughts! I know I end up going your way most of the time, this may be one of those instances. Enjoy!
Well, the number of books Balzac wrote is scary, but the book looks very promising. I’ll let you know if you should try him!
Looking forward to your review of this Jane.
I have read Balzac’s Cousin Bette which I thought was brilliant but I have not read Old Goriot.
Thank you. I nearly read Cousin Bette a few years ago, but I found that my copy had been mis-bound and then I was drawn to this one. If I like it I suspect I’ll be ordering another copy of Cousin Bette.
Hope you enjoy Old Goriot. I decided to sit out this spin… too busy with Mr. Trollope these days 😉
I can understand that – I have a week’s holiday the week after next, so I decided I could read a spin book without compromising my Trollope Time. I’ve just finished Cousin Henry and I have Ayala’s Angel lined up.
I’m glad it landed on a book you wanted to read. I have North and South, which I half read at university so it will be good to finish it.