Cousin Bette

Summary

The novel «Cousin Bette» by Honoré de Balzac tells the story of a poor and envious spinster, Bette Fischer, who lives in Paris and dreams of taking revenge on her wealthy cousin, Adeline Hulot. Dissatisfied with her situation and deprived of attention, Bette decides to ruin her cousin's life and that of her family. She uses her cunning and manipulation to introduce a young and beautiful woman, Valérie Marneffe, into the Hulot household, who becomes the mistress of Baron Hulot, Adeline's husband. Valérie, in turn, uses her allure to manipulate men and exploit them for her benefit. The Hulot family finds itself on the brink of financial ruin and moral collapse. Ultimately, Bette and Valérie's schemes lead to tragic consequences for all involved in this drama. The novel explores themes of envy, revenge, the destructive power of passion, and moral decline.