This is the tragic story of a father whose obsessive love for his two daughters leads to his financial & personal ruin It is set against the background of a whole society driven by social ambition & lust for money The detailed descriptions of both affluence & squalor in the Paris of 1819 are an integral part of the drama played out by a wide range of characters including the sinister but fascinating Vautrin Unquestionably one of Balzac&s finest novels Pere Goriot still has the power to move the modern reader ABOUT THE SERIES For over 100 years Oxford World&s Classics has made available the widest range of literature from around the globe Each affordable volume reflects Oxford&s commitment to scholarship providing the most accurate text plus a wealth of other valuable features including expert introductions by leading authorities helpful notes to clarify the text up-to-date bibliographies for further study & much more