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The Atheist's Mass

By Honoré de Balzac
Penguin Classics
Series: Penguin Little Black Classics
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Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
The Atheist's Mass by Honoré de Balzac delves into the relationship between a devoutly religious medical student and his atheist mentor in 19th century Paris. The narrative explores themes of belief, morality, and the surprising revelations that can arise from deeply-held convictions. Through their interactions, the story raises questions about faith and the nature of gratitude.
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Format: Paperback / softback
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

This book may appeal to you if you're intrigued by the complexities of human motives and paradoxes of character. Set against the vivid backdrop of 19th-century Paris, it explores themes of faith, loyalty, and the mysteries of beneficence through a masterful narrative that examines the inner workings of its intriguing characters.

Book Hero thinking about your next read

Presents a pair of short stories about faith and sacrificial love.

Two devastating stories of faith and sacrifice from Balzac's panorama of nineteenth-century French life, La Comedie Humaine.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

The Atheist's Mass is part of the Little Black Classics series, launched to celebrate Penguin's 80th anniversary.

"This is as much a mystery as the Immaculate Conception, which of itself must make a doctor an unbeliever."

The enigmatic tale unfolds in true Balzacian style, exploring the dichotomy between faith and scepticism, belief and science, through the eyes of a doctor contrasting theological mysteries with medical knowledge.

Series: Penguin Little Black Classics

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780141397429

Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 26 February 2015

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Penguin Classics

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 6.0mm

Width: 111.0mm

Height: 161.0mm

Weight: 54g

Pages: 64

Collections

Classic Fiction Classic General Fiction Fiction General Fiction Honoré de Balzac Literary Fiction Penguin Books Penguin Classics Penguin Classics: General Fiction Series: Penguin Little Black Classics

About the Author

Honore de Balzac (1799-1850). Balzac's works available in Penguin Classics are Old Man Goriot, Cousin Bette, History of The Thirteen, Selected Short Stories, Cousin Pons, A Harlot High and Low, Eugenie Grandet, The Wild Ass's Skin, The Black Sheep and Lost Illusions.

Also by Honoré de Balzac

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  • Old Man Goriot
    Monsieur Goriot is one of a disparate group of lodgers at Madame Vauquer's dingy Parisian boarding house. At first, his wealth inspires respect, but as his circumstances are mysteriously reduced, he becomes shunned by those around him. Soon, his only remaining visitors are his two beautifully dressed daughters. Goriot's fate is intertwined with two other fellow boarders—the young social climber,...
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  • Selected Short Stories
    One of the greatest French novelists, Balzac was also an accomplished writer of shorter fiction. This volume includes twelve of his finest short stories, many of which feature characters from his epic series of novels, the Comédie Humaine. Compelling tales of acute social and psychological insight, they fully demonstrate the mastery of suspense and revelation that were the hallmarks of...
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