Monsieur Goriot is one of a disparate group of lodgers at Mademe Vauquer's dingy
Parisian boarding house. At first his wealth inspires respect, but as his circu
mstances are mysteriously reduced he becomes shunned by those around him, and so
on his only remaining visitors are his two beautifully dressed daughters. Goriot
's fate is intertwined with two other fellow boarders: the young social climber
Eugene Rastignac, who sees a way to gain the acceptance and wealth he craves, an
d the enigmatic figure of Vautrin, who is hiding darker secrets than anyone.
