"Le Colonel Chabert" is a 1832 short novel included in Balzac's series of stories called "The Human Comedy," parodying early 19th century French society. The Colonel marries a prostitute before going off to war with Napoleon. Although he is listed as "killed in action" and buried, he claws his way back to life only to find his wife (and his possessions) have moved on without him.
ISBN 978-1-58977-064-5
Molière & Co. #11