Some of his novels and short stories contain representations of lesbian and gay relationship, though the extent to which he himself had homosexual tendencies remain uncertain.

The memoirs of one contemporary, Philarète Chasles, suggest that Balzac had homosexual leanings, and his letters register strong fellings for some of the young men who were his protégés and whose career he sought to furter in his later life.

After completing his legal studies in 1819 Balzac turned to writing fiction, which became his career. He wrote prodigiously, producing more than ninety novels, which revealed him to be an acute observer of French society.