A novel by Stendhal a romantic thriller, interwoven with intrigue and adventures, the novel is also an exploration of human nature, psychology, and court politics. The novel is cited as an early example of realism, a stark contrast to the Romantic style popular while Stendhal was writing. It is considered by many authors to be a truly revolutionary work; Honoré de Balzac considered it the most significant novel of his time, Tolstoy was heavily influenced by Stendhal's treatment of the Battle of Waterloo and his own version of the Battle of Borodino is a central part of his novel War and Peace.