The sixth tale in the first Decade of Honoré de Balzac’s scurrilous set is, in The Folio Society’s edition illustrated by
Mervyn Peake, entitled The Constable of France’s Wife.
In the author’s witty, humorous, robust prose packed with wordplay and innuendo, we have a story of seduction, deceit, and mistaken identity, which somewhat backfires on the perpetrators.
The High Constable’s Wife is the title translation given by the publishers of Gustave Doré’s earlier pictures;
and of those from Jean de Bosschère.
Further details of each of these publications is given in https://derrickjknight.com/2023/01/06/droll-tales-1/
Love the drawings.
Thanks very much, Pat
The illustrations are beautiful, but such darkness portrayed there.
Thanks very much, Lavinia
Such a difference in the illustrations.
Indeed, Merril. Thank you very much
Such detail, mood/emotion, and intensity in the Gustave Doré illustrations. They seem a perfect match with the story!
(((HUGS))) 🙂
Thank you so much, Carolyn X
Such a wide variety of styles of illustratrion!
Thanks very much, John
I don’t think I’ve ever heard anyone described as “always busy hanging people.”
I hope you are enjoying your close reading of the text, for which I thank you, Liz
You’re welcome. I am.
Wonderful illustrations! Glad to hear things backfire for the miscreants.
These pictures remind me of the pictures in my version of Canterbury Tales.
That should be interesting, Robbie. Thanks very much