Why people recommend it
Pere Goriot is a classic 1835 novel by Honoré de Balzac that details the intertwined lives of several Parisians living in a modest boarding house, most notably a devoted father who sacrifices everything for his ungrateful daughters. During a February 2024 appearance on the Lex Fridman Podcast, host Lex Fridman spoke with guest Tucker Carlson about media, history, literature, and politics. In the course of discussing books and the intricacies of world literature, Carlson expressed his admiration for the French author, stating plainly that he liked Balzac and noting that the writer obviously composed his works in French. Carlson specifically brought up Pere Goriot, describing it directly as an amazing novel that is also hilarious. The mention highlighted Carlson's appreciation for classic European literature and the enduring psychological depth and social satire found within nineteenth-century French realism, even as the conversation touched upon the challenges and nuances that can sometimes be lost when literary works are translated into other languages for international readerships.
Who recommended it
- Tucker Carlson Recommended
Tucker Carlson — 1 mention
“I like Balzak, okay? Who's obviously wrote in French. You read, 'Pere Goriot,' it's amazing novel, hilarious.”