Eugénie is a non-character whose curse seems to be that she is just way too female. Balzac's only method of describing her seems to be going on nonsensical rants about womanhood and then saying, yes, Eugénie is one of those. In fact, all the characters are paper-thin with no unique qualities, and the themes are hammered home to a ludicrous extent.

Just another cynical 19th century French book where everyone hates their neighbours and money makes the world go round. Ok ok ok whatever.