# Lost Illusions — Character guide

> Key figures in Lost Illusions by Honoré de Balzac.

- [Lucien Chardon](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/lost_illusions_se/characters/lucien_chardon.md): A young poet from Angoulême who seeks fame in Paris, torn between ambition and love.
- [David Séchard](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/lost_illusions_se/characters/david_sechard.md): Lucien's devoted friend and brother-in-law, a printer and inventor struggling with financial ruin.
- [Eve Séchard](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/lost_illusions_se/characters/eve_sechard.md): Lucien's sister and David's wife, a steadfast and practical woman who supports her family.
- [Madame de Bargeton](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/lost_illusions_se/characters/madame_de_bargeton.md): A provincial aristocrat who becomes Lucien's patron and lover, later abandoning him in Paris.
- [Étienne Lousteau](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/lost_illusions_se/characters/etienne_lousteau.md): A cynical journalist and writer who mentors Lucien in the Parisian literary world.
- [Coralie](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/lost_illusions_se/characters/coralie.md): A beautiful young actress who becomes Lucien's mistress and supports him financially.
- [Petit-Claud](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/lost_illusions_se/characters/petit_claud.md): A cunning lawyer in Angoulême who schemes against David Séchard.
- [Sixte du Châtelet](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/lost_illusions_se/characters/sixte_du_chatelet.md): A pretentious nobleman and rival of Lucien, later Madame de Bargeton's husband.
- [Finot](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/lost_illusions_se/characters/finot.md): A shrewd newspaper editor and publisher who manipulates journalists for profit.
- [Florine](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/lost_illusions_se/characters/florine.md): An actress and Lousteau's mistress, later involved with Lucien's circle.
- [Dauriat](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/lost_illusions_se/characters/dauriat.md): A powerful Parisian publisher who rejects Lucien's first novel.
- [Nathan](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/lost_illusions_se/characters/nathan.md): A flamboyant Romantic poet and playwright in Parisian literary circles.
- [Boniface Cointet](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/lost_illusions_se/characters/boniface_cointet.md): A wealthy printer and rival of David Séchard in Angoulême.
- [Jérôme-Nicolas Séchard](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/lost_illusions_se/characters/jerome_nicolas_sechard.md): David's miserly father, a former printer who hoards his wealth.
- [Marion](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/lost_illusions_se/characters/marion.md): The Séchard family's loyal and stout servant.
- [Kolb](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/lost_illusions_se/characters/kolb.md): David Séchard's loyal Alsatian assistant and later Eve's helper.
- [Cérizet](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/lost_illusions_se/characters/cerizet.md): A dishonest apprentice printer who betrays David Séchard.
- [Barbet](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/lost_illusions_se/characters/barbet.md): A bookseller and publisher who deals with Lucien in Paris.
- [Hector Merlin](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/lost_illusions_se/characters/hector_merlin.md): A journalist and writer in Lucien's Parisian circle.
- [Félicien Vernou](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/lost_illusions_se/characters/felicien_vernou.md): A jealous journalist and critic who writes against Lucien.
- [Émile Blondet](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/lost_illusions_se/characters/emile_blondet.md): A brilliant but cynical journalist and critic in Paris.
- [Matifat](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/lost_illusions_se/characters/matifat.md): A wealthy merchant and patron of Florine.
- [Madame Chardon](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/lost_illusions_se/characters/madame_chardon.md): Lucien and Eve's mother, a former nurse who sacrifices for her children.
- [Stanislas de Chandour](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/lost_illusions_se/characters/stanislas_de_chandour.md): A provincial nobleman and gossip in Angoulême society.
- [Michel Chrestien](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/lost_illusions_se/characters/michel_chrestien.md): A republican member of the Cénacle and friend of Lucien.
- [Joseph Bridau](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/lost_illusions_se/characters/joseph_bridau.md): A painter and member of the Cénacle, friend of Lucien.
- [Daniel d'Arthez](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/lost_illusions_se/characters/daniel_darthez.md): A serious writer and leader of the Cénacle who befriends Lucien.
- [Horace Bianchon](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/lost_illusions_se/characters/horace_bianchon.md): A medical student and member of the Cénacle, later a famous doctor.
- [Léon Giraud](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/lost_illusions_se/characters/leon_giraud.md): A philosopher and member of the Cénacle.
- [Postel](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/lost_illusions_se/characters/postel.md): An apothecary in L'Houmeau who marries Eve's friend.
- [Basine Clerget](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/lost_illusions_se/characters/basine_clerget.md): A seamstress and friend of Eve in Angoulême.
- [M. de Bargeton](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/lost_illusions_se/characters/m_de_bargeton.md): Madame de Bargeton's elderly and dull husband.
- [Amélie de Chandour](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/lost_illusions_se/characters/amelie_de_chandour.md): A gossipy provincial noblewoman in Angoulême.
- [Zéphirine de Senonches](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/lost_illusions_se/characters/zephirine_de_senonches.md): A provincial aristocrat and friend of Madame de Bargeton.
- [Francis du Hautoy](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/lost_illusions_se/characters/francis_du_hautoy.md): A young man in Angoulême society, Madame de Bargeton's cousin.
- [Des Lupeaulx](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/lost_illusions_se/characters/des_lupeaulx.md): A government official and journalist in Paris.
- [Giroudeau](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/lost_illusions_se/characters/giroudeau.md): A retired army officer and doorkeeper at a newspaper.
- [Samanon](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/lost_illusions_se/characters/samanon.md): A sinister second-hand bookseller and moneylender in Paris.
- [Doguereau](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/lost_illusions_se/characters/doguereau.md): An old-fashioned publisher who buys Lucien's novel.
- [Flicoteaux](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/lost_illusions_se/characters/flicoteaux.md): Owner of a cheap restaurant frequented by poor students.
- [Braulard](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/lost_illusions_se/characters/braulard.md): A leader of the claque at the Paris theaters.
- [Métivier](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/lost_illusions_se/characters/metivier.md): A Parisian paper merchant who deals with David Séchard.
- [Doublon](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/lost_illusions_se/characters/doublon.md): A bailiff who pursues David Séchard for debt.
- [Cachan](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/lost_illusions_se/characters/cachan.md): A lawyer who represents the Cointets against David.
- [Marquis de Rubempré](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/lost_illusions_se/characters/marquis_de_rubempre.md): The deceased nobleman whose name Lucien adopts.
- [M. de Nègrepelisse](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/lost_illusions_se/characters/m_de_negrepelisse.md): Madame de Bargeton's father, a provincial nobleman.
- [Comte de Senonches](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/lost_illusions_se/characters/comte_de_senonches.md): A provincial nobleman and hunter in Angoulême.
- [M. de Rastignac](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/lost_illusions_se/characters/m_de_rastignac.md): A young Parisian aristocrat briefly mentioned in society.
- [Laure de Rastignac](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/lost_illusions_se/characters/laure_de_rastignac.md): Eugène de Rastignac's sister, mentioned in passing.
- [Mademoiselle des Touches](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/lost_illusions_se/characters/mademoiselle_des_touches.md): A wealthy writer and salonnière in Paris.
- [Marquise de Pimentel](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/lost_illusions_se/characters/marquise_de_pimentel.md): A Parisian aristocrat who hosts a salon.
- [Comtesse du Châtelet](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/lost_illusions_se/characters/comtesse_du_chatelet.md): Madame de Bargeton after marrying du Châtelet.
- [The Alcalde](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/lost_illusions_se/characters/the_alcalde.md): A Spanish magistrate in a story within the book.
- [Henriette Signol](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/lost_illusions_se/characters/henriette_signol.md): A young woman from L'Houmeau, later Postel's wife.
- [Madame Postel](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/lost_illusions_se/characters/madame_postel.md): Postel's mother, who runs the apothecary shop.
- [The Abbé Marron](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/lost_illusions_se/characters/the_abb%C3%A9_marron.md): A priest in Angoulême who tutors Lucien.
- [Cardot](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/lost_illusions_se/characters/cardot.md): An elderly music teacher and patron in Paris.
- [Bixiou](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/lost_illusions_se/characters/bixiou.md): A caricaturist and wit in Parisian artistic circles.
- [Philippe Bridau](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/lost_illusions_se/characters/philippe_bridau.md): Joseph Bridau's brother, a soldier mentioned briefly.
- [De Marsay](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/lost_illusions_se/characters/de_marsay.md): A dandy and politician in Parisian high society.

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