The Hated Son

by Honoré de Balzac

"The Hated Son" by Honoré de Balzac is a novel written during the early 19th century. The story revolves around the tragic life of Comtesse Jeanne d'Herouville, who fears for the future of her unborn child due to her husband, the Comte d'Herouville's, violent and oppressive nature. This tale captures the complexities of family relationships, love, and dread during a tumultuous time when civil war raged across France. At the start of the novel, we are introduced to Comtesse Jeanne in the throes of childbirth amidst a fierce storm. Filled with anxieties about her husband’s potential reaction to their child’s legitimacy and health, she reflects on her painful marriage and lost hopes. The opening describes her husband's terrifying demeanor and the oppressive atmosphere of their bedroom, contrasting with the innocence of the child she longs to protect. As her labor intensifies, the countess confronts her fears, sensing the threat the count poses not just to herself but to their unborn child. This gripping introduction sets the stage for a family saga steeped in tension and emotional struggle, exploring themes of maternal love and the grim realities of 17th-century aristocracy.