Books like Les Eygletière by Henri Troyat

In 19th‑century rural France, country doctor Charles Bovary marries the ambitious Emma, whose longing for romance and luxury drives her into affairs and reckless spending, spiraling her into ruin and social disgrace.

Set at the time of the July Monarchy this book tells the story of how the dowdy and scorned Cousin Bette brings to its knees the family of the rich libertine Baron Hulot d'Ervy and his beautiful but sanctimonious wife Adeline. Full of fascinating but believable characters the book explores the world of the Paris of the 1830s and 40s from the commercial to the artistic; from the now-fading aristocracy of the Napoleonic era to the intellectual world of sculptors and stage singers. This is the sort of book Dickens might have written had be been allowed the scope to explore the sexual themes and the world of the demi-monde. Many of the characters are based on people Balzac knew, including the writer himself, and right up to the last page there is dry wit and irony serving as a critique of the Paris of Louis-Philippe and the morals of the day. Like a lot of Balzac's work, the book is studded with references to classical French literature and to obscure figues in French history, much of which may be lost on the average English reader. Nevertheless the book is worth reading in its original French provided that it is done slowly and methodically.