Old Goriot Audiobook

" Admit I read this as part of a class assignment, but really, truly liked it! I like putting myself into the corrupt life of Paris in the early 1800s, I guess. "

" Perhaps I'm cynical, but stories about the evils of sacrificing one's morals for status and wealth strike me as outmoded. Of course it's a good message, but the daily newspaper is full of much worse than anything in Pere Goriot. For this reason, it falls a little flat. However, I was impressed by the narrative flow. It's a tight, quick read - something I wasn't expecting from a 19th century French novel. Maybe that's just how Balzac rolls. This was the first thing I've read by him, but it may be awhile before I try anything else. A decent story, strong characters, and a more than solid execution...but I still felt like something was missing. What am I not getting? "

" Read in French for exams and was heavy going but once my French was better I read this through in a couple if days. The twists and turns in the plot show that little changes in two hundred years especially with the way students behave. Have not read this translation but the penguin classics version is as good as you can get if you don't go for the French edition "

" Not the easiest book I've ever read, but worth the plod. Many truthful tidbits. "

" Exquisitely written, beautifully read. Cynical, tragic, ironic, depressing. "

" I have a collection of Balzac and read various stories -- all are great w/great lessons - as is lessons from his own life and experiences. "

" A favorite of mine. A look into the lives of the poor French people after the French Revolution! A sad commentary of where they ended up. "

" Wonderful book, extremely depressing. If you are looking for a book to show you devotion and its opposite emotions, choose this. "

" I read this in french! "

" i'm still trying to figure out why. "

" digusted from the french lifestyle and cheap love between couples "

" Excellent story of a troubled life. A nice look at French culture. "

" So far...a really bleak view of Paris and Parisian society, circa 1819. I'm a little disgusted with my own ambition and the burning desire I had to go to as many museums/movies/plays as possible while I was in Paris...which is not to say that I'm not wholly enjoying the book. "

" I liked it a lot "

" I had a difficult time at first cracking this little french book, but it finished quite strongly and nicely. Well done. "

" A slow start, but eventually this book is an intriguing look at money and class in 19th century Paris and ultimately a father's obsessive and misguided devotion to his daughters. "

" This book is AMAZING. Balzac was a genius. This is a must read- but you must read it in French. Translations don't do any novel justice. "

" Did nothing for me. I didn't see the point, or even catch the themes; or maybe I did and was just dissapointed that they were thin and uninteresting. "