The Magic Skin
- First published
- 1889
- Reading level
- Plain English
- Price
- Free
About the book
"The Magic Skin" by Honoré de Balzac is a novel published in 1831. Set in early 19th-century Paris, it follows a young man who discovers a magical piece of shagreen that grants his every wish. However, each desire fulfilled causes the skin to shrink and drains his physical energy. The novel explores the conflict between desire and longevity, examining bourgeois materialism through Balzac's detailed portrayal of Parisian society. It established Balzac as a significant French writer.
- Fantasy fiction
- Authors
- Wishes
- Hides and skins
- French fiction
- Magic
Updated September 2026. Public domain in the USA. Text and summary from Project Gutenberg eBook #1307. The Magic Skin on Wikipedia.
