# A Start in Life — Character guide

> Key figures in A Start in Life by Honoré de Balzac.

- [Oscar Husson](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/a_start_in_life_se/characters/oscar_husson.md): A young man whose journey from Paris to Presles drives the story, facing humiliations and growth.
- [Pierrotin](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/a_start_in_life_se/characters/pierrotin.md): The coach driver who transports passengers and observes their interactions with shrewd humor.
- [Georges Marest](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/a_start_in_life_se/characters/georges_marest.md): A boastful and unscrupulous young man who travels with Oscar and causes trouble.
- [Monsieur Moreau](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/a_start_in_life_se/characters/monsieur_moreau.md): A landowner and father figure to Oscar, hosting the party at Presles.
- [Madame Clapart](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/a_start_in_life_se/characters/madame_clapart.md): Oscar's mother, anxious about his future and his behavior on the trip.
- [Madame Moreau](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/a_start_in_life_se/characters/madame_moreau.md): The wife of Monsieur Moreau, a gracious hostess at Presles.
- [Comte de Sérizy](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/a_start_in_life_se/characters/comte_de_serizy.md): A nobleman and influential figure who appears as a passenger and patron.
- [Mistigris](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/a_start_in_life_se/characters/mistigris.md): A witty and mischievous young artist traveling with his master.
- [Cardot](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/a_start_in_life_se/characters/cardot.md): An elderly uncle of Oscar, a retired merchant with a sharp tongue.
- [Godeschal](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/a_start_in_life_se/characters/godeschal.md): A lawyer and friend of the Moreau family, traveling to Presles.
- [Desroches](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/a_start_in_life_se/characters/desroches.md): A lawyer involved in legal matters concerning the characters.
- [Old Léger](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/a_start_in_life_se/characters/old_leger.md): A farmer and neighbor who interacts with the travelers.
- [Florentine](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/a_start_in_life_se/characters/florentine.md): A young actress and mistress of a wealthy man, traveling incognito.
- [Schinner](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/a_start_in_life_se/characters/schinner.md): A painter and friend of Mistigris, traveling to the countryside.
- [Madame Schinner](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/a_start_in_life_se/characters/madame_schinner.md): The mother of the painter Schinner, a respected figure.
- [Joseph Bridau](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/a_start_in_life_se/characters/joseph_bridau.md): A young painter and friend of the artistic circle in the story.
- [Monsieur Margueron](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/a_start_in_life_se/characters/monsieur_margueron.md): A doctor who attends to the travelers and locals.
- [Monsieur Clapart](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/a_start_in_life_se/characters/monsieur_clapart.md): Oscar's stepfather, a weak and ineffectual man.
- [Estelle](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/a_start_in_life_se/characters/estelle.md): A beautiful woman who captivates some of the male characters.
- [Mariette](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/a_start_in_life_se/characters/mariette.md): A dancer and the sister of Godeschal, involved in the arts.
- [de Reybert](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/a_start_in_life_se/characters/de_reybert.md): A former military man and friend of the Moreau family.
- [Madame de Reybert](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/a_start_in_life_se/characters/madame_de_reybert.md): The wife of de Reybert, a kind and hospitable woman.
- [Frédéric Marest](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/a_start_in_life_se/characters/frederic_marest.md): Georges Marest's brother, a military officer.
- [Madame Camusot](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/a_start_in_life_se/characters/madame_camusot.md): A magistrate's wife, part of the social circle.
- [Derville](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/a_start_in_life_se/characters/derville.md): A famous lawyer mentioned in connection with legal affairs.
- [Coralie](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/a_start_in_life_se/characters/coralie.md): A deceased actress, mourned by her lover Camusot.
- [Madame Husson](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/a_start_in_life_se/characters/madame_husson.md): Oscar's grandmother, who raised him for a time.
- [Madame de Sérizy](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/a_start_in_life_se/characters/madame_de_serizy.md): The wife of the Comte de Sérizy, a noblewoman.
- [Zéna](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/a_start_in_life_se/characters/zena.md): A young woman at Presles, possibly a servant or relative.
- [Léon de Lora](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/a_start_in_life_se/characters/leon_de_lora.md): A young artist and friend of Mistigris and Schinner.
- [Fanny Beaupré](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/a_start_in_life_se/characters/fanny_beaupere.md): A pretty young woman, possibly an actress or courtesan.
- [Monsieur Grindot](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/a_start_in_life_se/characters/monsieur_grindot.md): An architect involved in building projects.
- [Monsieur Husson](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/a_start_in_life_se/characters/monsieur_husson.md): Oscar's deceased father, mentioned in backstory.
- [Poiret](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/a_start_in_life_se/characters/poiret.md): A minor clerk or bureaucrat, part of the background.
- [Nathan](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/a_start_in_life_se/characters/nathan.md): A writer or journalist, part of the literary world.
- [Amaury](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/a_start_in_life_se/characters/amaury.md): A young man, possibly a friend of Oscar's.
- [Jacques Moreau](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/a_start_in_life_se/characters/jacques_moreau.md): The son of Monsieur Moreau, a young man.
- [Maître Hannequin](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/a_start_in_life_se/characters/maitre_hannequin.md): A notary involved in legal transactions.
- [Florine](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/a_start_in_life_se/characters/florine.md): An actress and mistress of a wealthy man.
- [Giroudeau](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/a_start_in_life_se/characters/giroudeau.md): A retired military officer, part of the social circle.
- [Alexandre Crottat](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/a_start_in_life_se/characters/alexandre_crottat.md): A notary who handles legal matters for the characters.
- [Camusot](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/a_start_in_life_se/characters/camusot.md): A magistrate, husband of Madame Camusot.
- [Madame Cardot](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/a_start_in_life_se/characters/madame_cardot.md): The deceased wife of Cardot, mentioned in passing.
- [Bordin](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/a_start_in_life_se/characters/bordin.md): A master of arts or crafts, possibly a painter.
- [Vandenesse](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/a_start_in_life_se/characters/vandenesse.md): A nobleman mentioned in the social context.
- [Bellejambe](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/a_start_in_life_se/characters/bellejambe.md): A minor character, possibly a servant or innkeeper.

HTML index: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/a_start_in_life_se/characters