The Wild Ass's Skin

Honoré de Balzac · 1799–1850 · France

Originally La Peau de Chagrin (French)

Why it matters

A desperate young man finds a magic skin that grants any wish, shrinking with each one granted and counting down what's left of his own life: Balzac's fantastical fable turns pure desire into a countdown, philosophy and horror fused into one relentless bargain.

At a glance

Philosophical digression and fantastical framing slow its otherwise brisk fable structure.