Cousin Betty is an unmarried middle-aged woman who plots the destruction of her extended family. Together with Valerie Marneffe, an unhappily married young lady, she seduces and torments a series of men. One of these is Baron Hector Hulot, husband to Bette's cousin Adeline. He sacrifices his family's fortune and good name to please Valerie, who leaves him for a tradesman named Crevel. The book is part of the Scenes de la vie parisienne section of Balzac's novel sequence La Comedie humaine ("The Human Comedy"). Published in 1846/1847 in serial format, Cousin Betty is considered to be Balzac's last great novel.
- ISBN10 1511520930
- ISBN13 9781511520935
- Publish Date 30 March 2015 (first published 1 July 2000)
- Publish Status Active
- Imprint Createspace Independent Publishing Platform
- Format Paperback (US Trade)
- Pages 320
- Language English