La Rabouilleuse
Illustration from an 1897 edition by Oreste Cortazzo | |
| Author | Honoré de Balzac |
|---|---|
| Language | French |
| Series | La Comédie humaine |
| Genre | Fiction |
| Publisher | Furne |
Publication date | 1842 |
| Publication place | France |
| Media type | |
| Preceded by | Le Curé de Tours |
| Followed by | L'illustre Gaudissart |
La Rabouilleuse (French pronunciation: [la ʁabujøz], The Black Sheep, or The Two Brothers) is an 1842 novel by Honoré de Balzac, and is one of The Celibates in the series La Comédie humaine. The Black Sheep is the title of the English translation by Donald Adamson published by Penguin Classics. It tells the story of the Bridau family, trying to regain their lost inheritance after a series of 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.