Lost Illusions

Lucien Chardon is a talented but vain young poet in Angoulême who longs to escape provincial obscurity. He follows Madame de Bargeton to Paris and adopts the aristocratic name de Rubempré, expecting literary ability and fashionable connections to secure his place in society. Rejected by the salons, he enters journalism, where reviews, political allegiance and personal reputation can be bought, traded or destroyed.

Lucien briefly gains money and notoriety by writing attacks and praise to order, but his debts, divided loyalties and desire for acceptance make him vulnerable to rivals. His choices also damage the printing business of his friend and brother-in-law David Séchard, who is fighting competitors determined to obtain his papermaking invention. When both careers collapse under commercial and legal pressure, Lucien leaves his family in disgrace and meets the figure who will redirect his ambition toward a darker alliance.