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Germinal

By Émile Zola
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Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
Germinal by Émile Zola is a powerful depiction of the hardships faced by coal miners in 19th-century France. The story centres on Étienne Lantier, a young miner, as he navigates the grim environment of the mines and the mounting tensions between the oppressed workers and their exploitative employers. Amidst severe conditions, Étienne becomes entangled in the struggle for social justice and change, capturing the human spirit's resilience in the face of adversity.
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Format: Paperback / softback
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

This novel may appeal to you if you enjoy powerful explorations of social injustice and class struggles. The story offers a vivid portrayal of the harsh lives of coal miners in 19th-century France, and it reflects on themes of solidarity and human resilience. It's a compelling choice if you appreciate richly detailed settings and character-driven narratives.

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A depiction of the poverty and wretchedness of a mining community in northern France under the second empire.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

New translation by Roger Pearson of the novel considered to be Zola's masterpiece.

Considered by Andre Gide to be one of the ten greatest novels in the French language, Germinal is a brutal depiction of the poverty and wretchedness of a mining community in northern France under the second empire. At the centre of the novel is Etienne Lantier, a handsome 21-year-old mechanic, intelligent but with little education and a dangerous predisposition to murderous, alcoholic rage.

Germinal tells the parallel story of Etienne's refusal to accept what he appears destined to become, and of the miners' difficult decision to strike in order to fight for a better standard of life.

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Germinal is praised for its readability and excitement, challenging the notion that classics are often difficult or dull. Daniel Radcliffe notes the book's engaging nature, highlighting that it exceeds typical expectations of classic literature.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780140447422

Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 29 January 2004

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Penguin Classics

Contributors:

  • Translated by Roger Pearson

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 24.0mm

Width: 128.0mm

Height: 198.0mm

Weight: 406g

Pages: 592

Collections

Classic Fiction Classic General Fiction Fiction General Fiction Literary Fiction Penguin Black Classics Penguin Books Penguin Classics Penguin Classics: General Fiction Émile Zola

About the Author

Emile Zola (1840-1902) was the leading figure in the French school of naturalistic fiction. His principal work, Les Rougon-Macquart, is a panorama of mid-19th century French life, in a cycle of 20 novels which Zola wrote over a period of 22 years. Roger Pearson is professor of French at the University of Oxford. He is the author of critical works on Voltaire, Stendhal and Mallarme and has translated Voltaire, Zola and Maupassant.

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