Emile Zola: An Introductory Study Of His Novels
Condition: SECONDHAND
This is a secondhand book. The jacket image is a photograph of the exact copy we have in stock. This image shows the condition of this book. Further condition remarks are below.
Condition remarks:
Book: Fair
Jacket: N/A
Pages: Good
Markings: Fair - Bumping on spine and corners. Rubbed edges.
A landmark work of literary criticism, this study presents a thorough and incisive examination of one of the nineteenth century's most influential novelists, tracing the ambitions, methods, and achievements of the French naturalist master across his monumental Rougon-Macquart series. Angus Wilson argues with characteristic wit and intellectual authority that Zola's genius lies not merely in his documentary realism but in his powerful, almost mythic imagination, which transforms social observation into sweeping narrative art. The text details the thematic and structural concerns that unite Zola's sprawling cycle of novels, from the grim industrial landscapes of Germinal to the sensual excess of Nana, illustrating how each work functions as both a social document and a work of profound artistic vision. Written with the authority of a fellow novelist who deeply understands the craft, Wilson's prose is engaging and accessible, making this an ideal entry point for readers new to Zola as well as a rewarding reassessment for those already familiar with his work. It remains one of the most readable and perceptive introductions to Zola's fiction in the English language.
Author: Angus Wilson
Format: Hardback
Published: 1952, Secker & Warburg
Genre: Literary theory
Condition remarks:
Book: Fair
Jacket: N/A
Pages: Good
Markings: Fair - Bumping on spine and corners. Rubbed edges.
A landmark work of literary criticism, this study presents a thorough and incisive examination of one of the nineteenth century's most influential novelists, tracing the ambitions, methods, and achievements of the French naturalist master across his monumental Rougon-Macquart series. Angus Wilson argues with characteristic wit and intellectual authority that Zola's genius lies not merely in his documentary realism but in his powerful, almost mythic imagination, which transforms social observation into sweeping narrative art. The text details the thematic and structural concerns that unite Zola's sprawling cycle of novels, from the grim industrial landscapes of Germinal to the sensual excess of Nana, illustrating how each work functions as both a social document and a work of profound artistic vision. Written with the authority of a fellow novelist who deeply understands the craft, Wilson's prose is engaging and accessible, making this an ideal entry point for readers new to Zola as well as a rewarding reassessment for those already familiar with his work. It remains one of the most readable and perceptive introductions to Zola's fiction in the English language.