Jump to content

Cousin Bette

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is an old revision of this page, as edited by P4k (talk | contribs) at 22:29, 13 January 2007. The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

Cousin Bette
File:Cousin Bette.JPG
Cover of 1965 Penguin Classics edition of La Cousine Bette (Cousin Bette)
AuthorHonoré de Balzac
Original titleLa Cousine Bette
LanguageFrench
Publication date
1846
Publication placeFrance

La Cousine Bette (English: Cousin Bette) is an 1846 novel by Honoré de Balzac. It has been adapted for film or television at least four times, including a 1998 movie starring Jessica Lange.

Plot introduction

It is the story of a poor cousin who seeks, with the help of a prostitute, to ruin the lives of her wealthy relations.

Major characters

  • Mlle Elisabeth 'Bette' Fisher
  • Valérie Marneffe
  • Jenny Cadine
  • Cesar Crevel
  • Baron Hector Hulot
  • Mme la baronne Adeline Hulot
  • Count Wenceslas Steinbach
  • Hortense Hulot
  • Victorin Hulot
  • Stidmann

Film, TV or theatrical adaptations

There have been at least 4 adaptations for film and television: