Quick Summary
- 1A new edition of Émile Zola's novel Germinal has been released by the publisher Bernat Metge.
- 2The book features a translation by Anna Casassas and a prologue by poet Maria Sevilla.
- 3Germinal is the thirteenth novel in Zola's twenty-novel series, which was inspired by Balzac's Comédie Humane.
- 4Zola wrote these works between 1870 and 1893.
Quick Summary
The classic novel Germinal by Émile Zola has been recently reissued. The new edition comes from the publisher Bernat Metge. It features a translation by Anna Casassas and a prologue by poet Maria Sevilla. The book is part of a larger literary tradition tracing French history through fiction.
Zola wrote twenty novels between 1870 and 1893. His work was inspired by the ninety works of Balzac's Comédie Humana. The new edition contains 576 pages and is priced at 29,95 euros. The story centers on a mining colony and the struggles of the Maheu family.
French Literary History Through Fiction
The history of 19th and early 20th century France can be traced through its fiction. Literary works from this era provide a window into the social and cultural shifts of the time. Authors ranged from the epic romanticism of Victor Hugo to the psychological introspection of Proust.
Other notable figures in this tradition include:
- Balzac
- Zola
- Flaubert
- Maupassant
These writers helped shape the landscape of French literature. Their works often blurred the lines between science, literature, journalism, and history.
Zola's Naturalist Project
Between 1870 and 1893, Émile Zola wrote twenty novels. He was inspired by the ninety works that make up Balzac's Comédie Humana. Zola aimed to create an histoire naturelle et sociale d'une famille sous le Second Empire (natural and social history of a family during the Second Empire).
His goal was to erase the line separating science from literature. He also sought to merge journalism with history. This approach defined his unique contribution to the naturalist movement. The series consists of twenty distinct novels that can be read individually.
About the New Edition of Germinal
Germinal is the thirteenth novel in Zola's twenty-novel series. It has been recently reissued by the editorial Bernat Metge. The publication is part of the Casa dels Clàssics collection.
The new version includes:
- Translation by Anna Casassas
- Prologue by poet Maria Sevilla
- 576 pages of content
The book is available for 29,95 euros. It remains a standalone work within the larger series.
Plot and Themes
The narrative of Germinal follows the story of a man named Étienne. It also focuses on the Maheu family and the broader community of a mining colony. The central theme involves the awakening of this community from oppression and misery.
The story explores the harsh realities faced by the miners. It depicts their struggle against difficult living and working conditions. The novel captures the collective experience of a community in turmoil.
Frequently Asked Questions
Anna Casassas provided the translation for the new edition published by Bernat Metge.
Émile Zola wrote twenty novels between 1870 and 1893.
The new edition is priced at 29,95 euros.
