La Rabouilleuse

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Title page of La Rabouilleuse, depicted by Cortazzo and published by George Barrie & Son, 1897
Title page of La Rabouilleuse, depicted by Cortazzo and published by George Barrie & Son, 1897

La Rabouilleuse (The Black Sheep), is a 1842 novel by Honoré de Balzac as part of his series La Comédie humaine. It tells the story of the Bridau family, trying to regain their lost inheritance after a series of unfortunate mishaps. Though for years an overlooked work in Balzac's canon, it has gained popularity and respect in recent years. The Guardian listed The Black Sheep 12 on its list of the 100 Greatest Novels of All Time.