EugÊnie Grandet is Balzac's first great novel and one of the series ComÊdie Humaine. At the beginning of the story the heroine lives an unfulfilled life in rural France, her nature crushed by a domineering and miserly father.Gallant cousin Charles arrives and acts as a catalyst on EugÊnieâs personality and emotions. Will her love survive the strong self opinion of the young man and the selfishness of her father or is EugÊnieâs reward destined to be in heaven?