I had never heard of Emile Zola until a couple of months ago, and I can’t believe I’ve missed him all this time. I’m about halfway through The Belly of Paris – wow, what a richly descriptive writer. I feel like I’m right in the middle of the noisy, fragrant, vividly-colored old Parisian Les Halles food market! His settings jump right out of the book. The characters are well-drawn, and the dialogues and discussions are involving and amusing. I just can’t put it down! And it’s on Project Gutenberg, to boot - I can read it during quiet times at work. Any other Emile Zola fans out there? What Zola novel should I read next?
Don’t forget his political career: “Let us never forget the courage of a great writer who, taking every risk, putting his tranquility, his fame, even his life in peril, dared to pick up his pen and place his talent in the service of truth.”
::raises hand::
My favorite is The Dram Shop, followed closely by The Earth (the aunt is the best villain ever), Therese Raquin, and Germinal. I’d love to read the cycle in order, but I haven’t been able to locate all of them yet, in English.
When you’re finished with Zola (it’ll take awhile), move on over to this book, which might be even better.
You gotta read The Dram Shop next though. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, etc.
I love Jean de Florette and Manon de Sources! They are up in my top five favorite novels of all time. The film was terrific, too.
J’accuse!
I’m glad Zola is returning to popularity. I went to high school with a girl named Therese Paquin, who for obvious reasons did not care for Zola. (BTW, the movie Therese Raquin is in production with a 2006 release date planned.
Recently watched the Paul Muni biopic of Zola. Seemed like an interesting guy. The film made me want to go back and revisit; haven’t read him for like 20 years.