La Peau de Chagrin

La Peau de Chagrin by Honoré de Balzac

A desperate young man comes into possession of a talisman that grants his every wish, but for every wish granted, shortens his life. Balzac’s 1831 novel is a fascinating study of the relationship between desire, death, and also sleep—because only in sleep can Raphael cease wanting and forestall his death.

READ THE NOVEL ONLINE (in French)

Check out a print version:

(English) Balzac, Honoré de. The Magic Skin/La Peau de Chagrin. Trans. Ellen Marriage. Dodo Press, 2006.

(French) Balzac, Honoré de. La Peau de chagrin. La Comédie humaine. [The Human Comedy]. Vol. 10. Paris: Gallimard, 1979. 12 vols. 1976-81.