The Lily of the Valley and the Gallery of Antiquities (1900)

""The Lily of the Valley and the Gallery of Antiquities"" is a novel by French author Honore de Balzac, first published in 1836. The story follows the life of Felix de Vandenesse, a young man who falls in love with a beautiful and virtuous woman named Madame Hulot. Despite her marriage to a wealthy and powerful man, Felix is determined to win her heart and begins a passionate affair with her. However, their relationship is threatened by the jealousy and suspicion of Madame Hulot's husband, as well as the disapproval of society. The novel also includes a subplot involving Felix's friendship with an eccentric collector of ancient artifacts, who takes him on a tour of his private gallery of antiquities. Through this subplot, Balzac explores themes of art, history, and the obsession with material objects. Overall, ""The Lily of the Valley and the Gallery of Antiquities"" is a complex and nuanced exploration of love, desire, and the intricacies of human relationships, set against the backdrop of 19th-century French society.Also Illustrated By Lucius Rossi.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.