"The History of the Rise and Fall of César Birotteau" by Honoré de Balzac, summary Automatic translate

Written in 1837, the novel is a social drama about the fate of a Parisian merchant who rose to prosperity through honesty and hard work, only to be ruined by financial speculation and vain vanity. The author details the workings of French trade, the credit system, and the bankruptcy process of the 19th century.

The novel is part of Honoré de Balzac’s famous cycle "The Human Comedy," where it is included in the section "Scenes from Parisian Life." The work has been adapted for the screen several times in France and other countries.

The formation and ambitious plans of the perfumer

César Birotteau, a simple peasant from Touraine, arrived in the capital at the age of fourteen with a single louis d’or. As an errand boy at the perfume shop "La Reine des Roses," owned by the Ragon couple, the young man demonstrated exceptional zeal. In 1795, César fought for the royalists on the steps of the Church of Saint-Roch and was wounded. He eventually married Constance Pillerault, bought the shop, and, with the help of the renowned chemist Vauquelin, created popular cosmetics — "Sultana’s Double Cream" and "Liquid Carmine."

Trade brought Birotteau wealth, the respect of the merchant class, a position as assistant mayor of the second arrondissement of Paris, and the Legion of Honor. In early 1819, the perfumer was at the height of his success. Blinded by the authorities’ recognition, he conceived a major transformation: remodeling and lavishly furnishing his apartment, moving the staircase, annexing the premises of his neighbor, Cayron, and throwing an unprecedented ball to celebrate the liberation of French territory from foreign troops and his own award.

Meanwhile, the notary Roguin suggests that Birotteau profitably invest three hundred thousand francs in speculating on land near the Church of the Madeleine. César’s wife, Constance, anticipates disaster and dissuades her husband from taking the risk, offering to buy the Trésoriere estate in Touraine and the state rent. However, Birotteau ignores his wife’s warnings, hoping to also enrich himself with a new invention — nut oil for hair, the recipe for which he discussed with Academician Vauquelin.

Behind-the-scenes conspiracy and festive triumph

Vengeance lies behind Birotteau’s plans. César’s former clerk, Ferdinand du Tillet, harbors a grudge against his master. César had previously caught du Tillet stealing three thousand francs, but he covered up the embezzlement and concealed the crime, later even vouching for it. Du Tillet, now a wealthy businessman, decides to ruin Birotteau. He uses the bankrupt notary Roguin, who is mired in spending on his mistress, Sarah Gobseck, and a front man, Charles Claparon. Through them, du Tillet draws César into land speculation, forcing him to issue promissory notes and hand over cash.

Unaware of the conspiracy, Birotteau instructs his loyal clerk, Anselme Popinot, who is unrequitedly in love with his daughter, Césarine, to open a separate business selling nut oil on the Rue des Cinq-Diamants. The wily traveling salesman Gaudissart and the journalist Andoche Finot launch an aggressive advertising campaign for Popinot’s "Cephalic Oil." Meanwhile, the young architect Grendot remodels Birotteau’s apartment, and the contractors Lourdois, Brachon, and Chafar are racking up huge bills.

On December 17, 1818, a lavish ball was held at the perfumer’s home. Representatives of the aristocracy, bureaucracy, and merchant class gathered for the celebration: Count de Fontaine, Baron de la Billardière, the scholar Vauquelin, the notary Rogin, bankers, and judges. This evening became the moment of César Birotteau’s supreme triumph, immediately followed by a catastrophic downfall.

Financial collapse and rescue attempts

The day after the ball, Birotteau is besieged by creditors. Notary Rogan escapes with three hundred thousand francs, including one hundred thousand from Cesareine’s dowry, the savings of the Ragon family, and Uncle Pillerault. Birotteau’s bills for two hundred and thirty-five thousand francs demand immediate payment, and the perfumer’s coffers are empty. The architect, painters, and caterers insist on payment.

César frantically tries to find funds. He writes to his brother François, a priest in Tours, but he sends only a thousand francs — all he has. Birotteau turns to the banker François Keller, but his brother Adolphe refuses credit. The drawers Claparon, the moneylender Gigonnet, and the landlord Molinet are harsh. Du Tillet feigns friendship, lends César ten thousand francs, and sends him with a fictitious letter to the banker Nucingen, where the latter merely mocks the perfumer. Popinot tries to pawn his own promissory notes to save his beloved’s father, but Uncle Pillerault burns them, unwilling to ruin the young man’s business for the sake of a hopeless debt.

Realizing the inevitability of ruin, Birotteau confesses everything to his wife. Constance remains steadfast and supports her husband. On January 14, Birotteau files for bankruptcy. The Commercial Court appoints Molinet as agent and Camusot as sworn trustee. The "Queen of Roses" shop, the factory, the furniture, and the patents are auctioned off to pay the debts.

The path of self-sacrifice, rehabilitation and death

The Birotteau family surrenders all their personal property, jewelry, and clothing to their creditors. Constance gets a job as a cashier at Popinot’s, Césarine becomes a saleswoman in a drapery store on the Boulevard des Italiens, and César, thanks to the efforts of his friends, secures a modest position as a census taker for the government commission with a salary of two thousand five hundred francs a year. They move in with Uncle Piliero and use their entire earnings to pay off their debts.

Popinot’s business rapidly expanded thanks to the success of the "Cephalic Oil." Anselme purchased the factory lease from du Tillet for sixty thousand francs and transferred all proceeds to Birotteau’s debt. King Louis XVIII, recognizing the perfumer’s generosity, granted him six thousand francs from his personal coffers. After three years of continuous labor, rigorous austerity, and Uncle Pillerault’s stock market operations, the family repaid the full four hundred and forty thousand francs, plus interest.

In early 1823, the Royal Court, presided over by Prosecutor General de Granville, decreed the full legal and moral rehabilitation of César Birotteau. He was greeted with a standing ovation at the Stock Exchange. Friends held a celebration in his former apartment, coinciding with the engagement of Césarine and Anselme. However, César’s heart could not withstand the extreme stress and joyful shock. In the arms of his wife, daughter, and confessor, Abbé Loro, the rehabilitated perfumer suddenly died of a ruptured bottle.