O Pai Goriot (Pocket)

Balzac's detailed portrayal of 19th-century Paris feels so vivid—did he draw from real observations or personal experience? I wonder what led to such an authentic social landscape.

The characters seem trapped by their ambitions and class. It made me think about how much has changed or stayed the same since then. Was that the point?

His detailed descriptions and complex characterizations really pull you into the world. I’m curious whether this was a deliberate choice to reflect the intricacies of society.