The Girl with the Golden Eyes

Beginning with a visceral description of the society and politics of Paris, The Girl with the Golden Eyes considers the sex life of the upper class by its raw depiction of the underside of Parisian life. Henri de Marsay is a young, rich man who is nearly devoid of morals and virtue. After he meets Paquita Valdes, a mysterious and beautiful woman, he becomes infested with a deviant lust for her. When his plan to seduce her succeeds, Henri and Paquita maintain an intensely sexual relationship. However, when Henri starts to suspect Paquita is involved with another lover, he becomes overwhelmed with rage and jealousy. As he allows this emotion to cloud his judgement and conscience, Henri's possessiveness plots a heinous act-immoral even by his questionable standards, leading to shocking discoveries and sick twists. The surprise and awe invoked by Honoré de Balzac's The Girl with the Golden Eyes ensures a memorable narrative that has won the attention of critics