# Honoré de Balzac — Against the Grain character guide

> Honoré de Balzac in Against the Grain by J.-K. Huysmans.

**Role:** minor

**Also known as:** the great Balzac

**First appearance:** 0004-ii

## Who they are

Novelist whose 'La Comédie humaine' is a touchstone for Des Esseintes.

## In the story

### [The Perfume Experiment](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/against_the_grain_se/chapters/x)

Mentioned as an author who felt an imperious craving to write to get his hand in, paralleling Des Esseintes' need to practice perfumery.

### [XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/against_the_grain_se/chapters/xii)

Mentioned as an example of earlier literature that explored the surface of the soul and normal passions.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/against_the_grain_se/characters/balzac
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/against_the_grain_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/against_the_grain_se/characters