Colonel Chabert is a soldier, who goes missing during the Napoleonic wars, and then returns from the dead, most inconveniently for his wife, who has remarried and has gone up in the world. This novella by Balzac lays bare the venality of the French Restoration period. It has been filmed several times, most recently in the 1994 version, starring Gerard Depardieu. - Summary by Nicole Lee

Colonel Chabert by Honoré de Balzac is a profound exploration of identity, loyalty, and the struggle for recognition in a world that often forgets those who serve. The story delves into the life of a soldier who returns from the battlefield, only to find himself caught in a web of societal indifference and personal betrayal. This timeless narrative resonates today as it highlights the themes of sacrifice and the quest for dignity in the face of adversity. Balzac's keen observations of human nature and the complexities of social status make this work an enduring classic, inviting listeners to reflect on the enduring struggles of individuals seeking their place in a rapidly changing world.

Colonel Chabert is a soldier, who goes missing during the Napoleonic wars, and then returns from the dead, most inconveniently for his wife, who has remarried and has gone up in the world. This novella by Balzac lays bare the venality of the French Restoration period. It has been filmed several times, most recently in the 1994 version, starring Gerard Depardieu. - Summary by Nicole Lee