La peau de chagrin

Honoré de Balzac

Balzac's classic philosophical novel about a young man (Raphaël) torn between two women, one whom he loves but who does not reciprocate his affections (Foedora, the "woman without a heart") and one who loves him but for whom initially he has only fraternal feelings (Pauline). The sentimental drama is associated with a philosophical one in allegorical form: how does a man live his life... with intensity but in an existence of short duration, or without desires in a long life? The drama is expressed through the talisman, a wild ass's skin, given to the hero by an old antique dealer. The skin has magical powers: it enables the owner to satisfy any desire, but it shrinks each time it is used. The owner's life is mirrored by the shrinking skin.