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Germinal by Émile Zola is a literary masterpiece that stands as one of the finest French novels, acclaimed by André Gide. This compelling narrative immerses readers in the harsh realities of a northern French mining community, where despair looms large and hope flickers like a dying ember.
The story follows Étienne Lantier, a resourceful yet uneducated former railway worker who becomes entwined in the grueling labor of the Le Voreux mine. As he witnesses the dire conditions that plague the miners—riddled with illness, hunger, and crippling debt—Lantier’s fiery spirit ignites a fervent desire for change. He rises as a leader, inspiring the miners to strike for improved working conditions, embodying the struggle between liberation and potential ruin.
Germinal, the thirteenth entry in Zola’s renowned Rougon-Macquart series, serves as a poignant critique of the exploitation faced by the working class at the hands of the privileged elite. Zola brilliantly casts a spotlight on social injustices while celebrating the resilience of human empathy and hope.
This Penguin Classics edition features a masterful translation and insightful introduction by Roger Pearson, ensuring Zola’s powerful narrative resonates with modern readers. Furthermore, if you find yourself entranced by Germinal, consider exploring Zola's equally captivating Thérèse Raquin, also available in the Penguin Classics collection.
ISBN: | 9780140447422 |
Author: | Roger Pearson |
Format: | Paperback / softback |
Imprint: | Penguin Classics |
Publisher: | Penguin Books Ltd |
Dimensions: | 198 x 129 x 28 mm |
Publication Date: | 29 January, 2004 |
Pagination: | 592 pages |
Weight: | 404g |
Sherlock & Pages is a little bookshop with a big heart. We are based in Frome, Somerset, England and curate lists of books in the areas we are passionate about – landscape, nature, history, and heritage. In short, the conservation of all we’ve inherited and all we are responsible to pass on. We aim to inspire and be inspired, to form a literary culture of care and passion about this precious planet we call home.
This is a shop where you might find something you haven’t seen before, and we like to think we’ve got something for everyone. We choose each of our books with care and for a reason. This is because our physical store is small but beautifully formed, holding only around 1200 titles at any one time. We try and recreate the feel of the shop wherever we are online, to reflect our niche categories and personality.
We have an active social media presence and aim to share our story with all our friends. The long-term goal is to build a hub for the books and writers we believe in. Who knows where our adventure will lead but by supporting Sherlock & Pages you’re helping us to add a further layer of magic to our little corner of the world. If you haven’t visited our physical store, one day you might just make a literary pilgrimage down to Somerset.
Our tagline is ‘Long Live the Hedgerows’ and our symbol a hibernating dormouse. If you want to support an independent with a unique character and which will share stories with you for years to come, then choose Sherlock & Pages. The world needs bookshops with soul, for they are ‘citadels of light.’
Sherlock & Pages is a little bookshop with a big heart. We are based in Frome, Somerset, England and curate lists of books in the areas we are passionate about – landscape, nature, history, and heritage. In short, the conservation of all we’ve inherited and all we are responsible to pass on. We aim to inspire and be inspired, to form a literary culture of care and passion about this precious planet we call home.
This is a shop where you might find something you haven’t seen before, and we like to think we’ve got something for everyone. We choose each of our books with care and for a reason. This is because our physical store is small but beautifully formed, holding only around 1200 titles at any one time. We try and recreate the feel of the shop wherever we are online, to reflect our niche categories and personality.
We have an active social media presence and aim to share our story with all our friends. The long-term goal is to build a hub for the books and writers we believe in. Who knows where our adventure will lead but by supporting Sherlock & Pages you’re helping us to add a further layer of magic to our little corner of the world. If you haven’t visited our physical store, one day you might just make a literary pilgrimage down to Somerset.
Our tagline is ‘Long Live the Hedgerows’ and our symbol a hibernating dormouse. If you want to support an independent with a unique character and which will share stories with you for years to come, then choose Sherlock & Pages. The world needs bookshops with soul, for they are ‘citadels of light.’