Description
Book SynopsisEmile 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.
Trade 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
'… a highly readable collection of essays. … The collection is both a solid introduction to Zola and his work for those new to the field and an enjoyable read for those who are already familiar with Zola scholarship.' The French Review
Table of ContentsChronology; 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.
