Publisher Description

Emile Zola is a towering literary figure of the nineteenth century. His main literary achievement was his twenty-volume novel cycle, Les Rougon-Macquart (1870–93). In this series he combines a novelist's skills with those of the investigative journalist to examine the social, sexual and moral landscape of the late nineteenth century in a way that scandalized bourgeois society. In 1898 Zola crowned his literary career with a political act, his famous open letter ('J'accuse…!') to the President of the French Republic in defence of Alfred Dreyfus. The essays in this volume offer readings of individual novels as well as analyses of Zola's originality, his representation of society, sexuality and gender, his relations with the painters of his time, his narrative art, and his role in the Dreyfus Affair. The Companion also includes a chronology, detailed summaries of all of Zola's novels, suggestions for further reading, and information about specialist resources.

Notes

Emile Zola is a towering literary figure of the nineteenth century. His main literary achievement was his twenty-volume novel cycle, Les Rougon-Macquart (1870–93). These newly commissioned essays offer readings of individual novels as well as analyses of Zola's originality, his representation of society, sexuality and gender, his relations with the painters of his time, his narrative art, and his role in the Dreyfus Affair. The Companion also includes a chronology, detailed summaries of all of Zola's novels, suggestions for further reading, and information about specialist resources.

Author Biography

Brian Nelson is Professor of French Studies at Monash University, Melbourne.

Table of Contents

Chronology; Zola's novels: a summary; Family tree of the Rougon-Macquart; 1. Zola and the nineteenth century Brian Nelson; 2. Family histories and family plots Nicholas White; 3. Zola and the representation of society Sandy Petrey; 4. Questions of sexuality and gender Hannah Thompson; 5. Zola and contemporary painting Robert Lethbridge; 6. Zola and the art of fiction Chantal Pierre-Gnassounou; 7.Thérèse Raquin: animal passion and the brutality of reading Susan Harrow; 8. Nana: the world, the flesh and the devil Valerie Minogue; 9. Germinal: the gathering storm David Baguley; 10. La Bête humaine: the poetics of the unconscious Rae Beth Gordon; 11. Zola's utopias Julia Przybos; 12. 'J'accuse…!': Zola and the Dreyfus Affair Owen Morgan; Further reading and specialist resources.

Review

'Will doubtless become an indispensable tool for researchers and students. ...remarkably coherent volume...By guiding us behind the scenes of his work with the aid of a range of critical approaches (genetic criticism, sociological criticism, feminist studies, amongst others) and of elegant but sound analysis, this book invites readers to immerse or reimmerse themselves in a prose which has lost nothing of its energy or vitality.' Australian Book Review

Promotional

The essays in this volume focus on Zola's works, his life and times and his role in the Dreyfus Affair.

Review Quote

'Will doubtless become an indispensable tool for researchers and students. …remarkably coherent volume…By guiding us behind the scenes of his work with the aid of a range of critical approaches (genetic criticism, sociological criticism, feminist studies, amongst others) and of elegant but sound analysis, this book invites readers to immerse or reimmerse themselves in a prose which has lost nothing of its energy or vitality.' Australian Book Review

Promotional "Headline"

The essays in this volume focus on Zola's works, his life and times and his role in the Dreyfus Affair.

Description for Bookstore

Emile Zola is a major literary figure of the nineteenth century. The essays in this volume focus on Zola's originality, his works, his life and times and his role in the Dreyfus Affair. The Companion also includes a chronology, summaries of all of Zola's novels and suggestions for further reading.

Description for Library

Emile Zola is a major literary figure of the nineteenth century. The essays in this volume focus on Zola's originality, his works, his life and times and his role in the Dreyfus Affair. The Companion also includes a chronology, summaries of all of Zola's novels and suggestions for further reading.

Details