A Passion in the Desert

4 Responses to “A Passion in the Desert”

1. Andrew Beyzman says:

   October 24, 2010 at 10:36 pm

   I have not read the Kindle edition of this work, but this is undoubtedly one of the most controversial tales Balzac has produced. It must have caused one hell of a sensation when it was initially published. It certainly can’t be considered “classical” Balzac in terms of the plot, but the imagery and philosophical depth is Balzac par excellence. It may not be “scientifically perfect” (I judge he mentions crocodile – in the dessert????), but what a spectacular thought! One nearly gets a feel that Balzac is dipping his brush into “decadent” paint: reading this tale I kept thinking of Chimera’s words from Flaubert’s fantastic “Temptation of St. Anthony” – “I seek new perfumes, larger blossoms, pleasures still untasted.” Later, in 1884, J.K. Huysmans, in his masterpiece “A Rebours,” has described locomotive viewed as a sort of sexual object by the protagonist Des Esseintes. I marvel if he was influenced to some degree by this novelette. On the additional hand, this tale superbly illustrates that humans are, mostly, sociable creatures and prolonged isolation will make them behave in a really unexpected way. The ending is very much sad, but unavoidable.
   
   This work really brings up a lot of emotions and questions. It also further solidifies the indisputable fact that Balzac was one of the greatest literary geniuses of all times.
   Reader’s Rating: 5 / 5
2. Anonymous says:

   October 25, 2010 at 12:59 am

   I read this tale in Junior High as part of a reading study for class and was truely fascinated by the imagery of De Balzac. I permanently remembered it as a favorite and where that book is today i don’t know, but i was completely surprised when i recently rented a movie and saw “Passion in the Desert” as one of the previews! I don’t remember the tale being long enough for a movie, but that’s never stopped a movie from being filmed and produced before. If a name could please help me locate this tale, i would be much obliged!
   Reader’s Rating: 4 / 5
3. Anonymous says:

   October 25, 2010 at 1:57 am

   An extremely imaginative tale. The exoticism and mystery of the setting and characters (one of the main protagonists is a large feline) will fascinate long after you’ve finished the book. Haunting.
   Reader’s Rating: 5 / 5
4. Anonymous says:

   October 25, 2010 at 2:52 am

   This was a tale that I read in school and was so impressed that I bought a book of fleeting tales that this appeared in. The leader’s use of emotion and imagery is outstanding and this is probably the best fleeting tale that I have ever read.
   Reader’s Rating: 5 / 5