The fourth story in Balzac’s first Decade of his Droll Tales is a classic one of wit deciding which of three potential legatees would inherit a wealthy sum.
The clerical protagonist has earned his money in sinful ways disguised as innocent activities with plentiful double entendre and metaphor.
There is no illustration in The Folio Society Edition featured with the title as Old Nick’s Heir.
The Devil’s Heir is the title chosen by the publisher of
Doré’s pictures;
The Devil’s Lodging is the choice of the publisher of
those of Jean de Bosschère.
Further details of each of these publications is given in https://derrickjknight.com/2023/01/06/droll-tales-1/
It’s interesting that the versions have different titles, as well as such different illustrations.
I thought so, Merril. Although I have read each edition I have not compared the different translators’ versions of the text
That would be a job, but now I wonder how much they vary.
Me, too, but I won’t do it 🙂
😏
Droll pictures indeed.
Thanks very much, Pat
The difference in illustrations between the two versions is striking. The style of the illustrations in The Devil’s Lodging seems to suggest that the tale is no anachronism to be read and dismissed as “quaint.”
Quite so, Liz. Thank you very much
You’re welcome, Derrick.
Such details in the illustrations!
Thank you very much, Zakiah. I am pleased you are now able to comment
The illustrations are fascinating and especially so with “This guardian of beasts, an ordinary peasant, came to town”
Cheers, Ivor
Looking at some of these remarkably unattractive portraits, I can’t help but think there might be an unattractive character or two lurking about.
Quite so, Linda. Thank you very much
The illustrations in The Devil\s Heir are well done. I like the old black & white drawings.
Thank you very much, Lavinia
Hmm. After reading the first page of The Devil’s Heir, I am wondering what I might have been missing!
He does have a good line in innuendo. Thanks very much, Yvonne
Interesting about the different titles. Do you know whati the actual French title is?
The general one is Contes Drolatiques, but I don’t know the individual ones
I always wondered, are the translators allowed to change the titles?…hmmm…