The Atheist’s Mass (Penguin Little Black Classics) By Honoré de Balzac

The Atheist’s Mass is a short story by Honoré de Balzac, first published in 1836. It is part of his series La Comédie Humaine and falls under the subcategory Scènes de la vie privée. The narrative follows Dr. Desplein, a renowned surgeon known for his atheism, who is observed attending mass at the Saint-Sulpice church. His former assistant, Dr. Bianchon, curious about this behavior, learns that Desplein has been secretly funding masses for the poor, challenging the notion of his disbelief.

This story delves into themes of faith, hypocrisy, and the complexities of human nature, highlighting Balzac’s keen observations of society.

Buy this book from Kitabharu and explore Balzac’s exploration of faith and human complexity in this thought-provoking tale.