The Recruit
1831
The Recruit, originally titled Le Réquisitionnaire, is an 1831 short story by Honoré de Balzac set during the French Revolution. It follows Madame de Dey, a widowed aristocrat, as she navigates the dangers of the Terror while hosting gatherings in her home. The arrival of a young recruit, Julien Jussieu, who resembles her son, intensifies her emotional turmoil and raises suspicions from the local prosecutor. The story explores themes of maternal love and the harsh realities faced by individuals during tumultuous times.
