TEHRAN – A Persian translation of French novelist Honoré de Balzac’s book “Louis Lambert” by Hojabr Sanjarkhani has recently been published by Nilufar in Tehran.

“Louis Lambert” is an 1832 novel by French novelist and playwright Balzac (1799–1850), included in the Études philosophiques section of his novel sequence La Comédie Humaine. 

Set mostly in a school at Vendome, it examines the life and theories of a boy genius fascinated by the Swedish philosopher Emanuel Swedenborg (1688–1772).

Balzac wrote “Louis Lambert” during the summer of 1832 while he was staying with friends at the Château de Saché, and published three editions with three different titles. 

The novel contains a minimal plot, focusing mostly on the metaphysical ideas of its boy-genius protagonist and his only friend (eventually revealed to be Balzac himself). 

Although it is not a significant example of the realist style for which Balzac became famous, the novel provides insight into the author’s own childhood. 

Specific details and events from the author’s life – including punishment from teachers and social ostracism – suggest a fictionalized autobiography.

Although critics panned the novel, Balzac remained steadfast in his belief that it provided an important look at philosophy, especially metaphysics. As he developed the scheme for La Comédie Humaine, he placed Louis Lambert in the Études Philosophiques section, and later returned to the same themes in his novel Séraphita, about an androgynous angelic creature.

Photo: Front cover of the Persian edition of Honoré de Balzac’s book “Louis Lambert”.

MMS/YAW