Part of La Comédie Humaine, book 68
First published 1831
Raphaël de Valentin stumbles upon a mysterious piece of wild ass skin in Paris. The rough, untanned hide possesses supernatural power: it grants any wish he makes. Each fulfilled desire comes with a terrible price. The skin shrinks after every wish, draining his physical energy and shortening his life. Raphaël faces an impossible choice between getting everything he wants and preserving his existence. Balzac weaves together vivid scenes of 1830s Parisian society with supernatural elements as Raphaël discovers the true cost of his desires. The young man must navigate the complexities of civilized society while wrestling with the knowledge that every granted wish brings him closer to death. This tale explores human nature through the lens of magical realism, showing how our deepest longings can become our greatest curses.
Genres: fantasy, 19th-century
Vibes: dark, emotional, thought-provoking
Tropes: moral-dilemma, supernatural-powers
Setting: Paris
Period: 1830s
285 pages · Paperback · Penguin Classics