Balzac’s Closet is a quasi tribute to Honoré de Balzac, a 16th Century French novelist. Regarded as one of the founders of realism (his style was naturalistic — a pessimistic/analytical form of realism),  Honoré’s influence touched the likes of Charles Dickens, Henry James, and Jack Kerouac.

Balzac’s extensive use of detail captured the decor and clothing of his characters. He is one of the few bourgeois writers to condone the bohemian movement/lifestyle (Beat, Gypsy, Nouveau, Dandy, etc.).

Bohos everywhere owe a bit of gratitude to Honoré. This site tips its cap his way as it showcases fashion, food, music, and literature without regard to conventional rules of behavior.

For more information on Honoré, please visit:

http://www.online-literature.com/honore_de_balzac/

http://books.google.com/books?id=nghMAAAAMAAJ&dq=honore+de+balzac&source=gbs_navlinks_s