The Novel

La Peau de Chagrin was one of the first novels published under Balzac's own name. The story of Raphael de Valentin, an aristocratic French orphan who sequesters himself in a garret room to write a philosophical treatise, opens with Raphael losing his last gold coin in a gambling hall in Paris. The novel appeared in 1831 and was an immediate sensation. Balzac put his imprint on the Faust myth, embedding the Faustian bargain in a physical object, which gives a visible symbol for the hero's efforts to extricate himself. It was a time of political upheaval and liberal ferment in France. The novel was praised by George Sand, the female novelist and critic, who was reputed to be one of Balzac's mistresses, and attracted the attention of a countess in Poland, Madame Hanska, who would later become his wife. The 1838 edition of the novel was illustrated with steel engravings of the characters and scenes, several of which are shown here to dramatize the story. Raphael de Valentin dies in the Balzac novel. He expires on Pauline's breast as she tries to strangle herself in order to save his life, because she loves him and he is dying of his love for her. This version of the story is sweeter. It veers from fantasy into horror but has a happy ending.