Cousin Pons (Poor Relations, Part 2) (Penguin Classics)
Novel by Honore de Balzac, published in 1847 asLe Cousin Pons. One of the novels that makes up Balzac's seriesLa Comedie humaine(The Human Comedy),Cousin Ponsis often paired withLa Cousine Betteunder the titleLes Parents pauvres("The Poor Relations"). One of the last and greatest of Balzac's novels of French urban society, the book tells the story of Sylvain Pons, a poor musician who is swindled by his wealthy relatives when they learn that his collection of art and antiques is worth a fortune. In contrast to his counterpart Cousin Bette, who seeks revenge against those who have humiliated her, Cousin Pons suffers passively as his health deteriorates and he eventually dies. Balzac shows how a person without means can be crushed by a society that has no values except material ones.   --The Merriam-Webster Encylopedia of Literature