{"product_id":"cousin-pons","title":"Le Cousin Pons","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat happens when a forgotten musician owns a fortune in beauty—and everyone sees its value but him?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn Honoré de Balzac’s Cousin Pons, Sylvain Pons lives for good food, fine objects and his friend Wilhelm Schmucke. The aging musician gathers paintings and rare craft on a small income, unaware of their great worth. In Paris in the 1840s, his wealthy relatives expect favors in return for a place at their table.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eWhen Pons offers to help find a husband for Cécile Camusot, his wish to be useful brings trouble. Around the two friends, interest in his collection grows. Madame Cibot sees a chance for profit, while the lawyer Fraisier gives greed a plan. Balzac sets their calculations against a friendship that values something money cannot measure.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eWhat you'll discover\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTwo friends, one refuge\u003c\/strong\u003e – Share the shabby home where Pons and Schmucke find comfort in each other’s company.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBeauty beyond its price\u003c\/strong\u003e – Explore a collector’s love for paintings and fine objects others see only as wealth.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eA place at dinner\u003c\/strong\u003e – Watch family hospitality become a bitter bargain when a guest must prove his usefulness.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGreed learns to wait\u003c\/strong\u003e – Meet a concierge and a lawyer whose hopes sharpen around an old man’s possessions.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eParis in close detail\u003c\/strong\u003e – Move from theatre orchestras to junk shops through Balzac’s patient portraits of money and manners.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003ePerfect for readers who love long, character-driven nineteenth-century novels, passionate collectors and sharp portraits of money and manners.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eOpen the first page now and step into the home of two friends surrounded by hungry eyes.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Library of Alexandria Press","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":59534627111260,"sku":null,"price":0.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1027\/9442\/8764\/files\/04456_en_ebook-front_c20.jpg?v=1792174976","url":"https:\/\/libraryofalexandria.com\/fr\/products\/le-cousin-pons","provider":"The Library of Alexandria","version":"1.0","type":"link"}