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Émile Zola

Germinal

Émile ZolaFiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1885

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Book Brief

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Émile Zola

Germinal

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1885
Book Details
Pages

364

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Northern France • 1860s

Publication Year

1885

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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Super Short Summary

Germinal by Émile Zola follows Étienne Lantier, a young coal miner, as he leads a strike against an oppressive mining company in the fictional northern French town of Montsou. The miners grapple with dire working conditions and injustice, culminating in a strike that brings both hope and tragic consequences, reflecting the indomitable human spirit and the struggle for justice. The novel includes depictions of violence and sexual assault.

Dark

Gritty

Melancholic

Challenging

Mysterious

Reviews & Readership

4.3

39,664 ratings

80%

Loved it

14%

Mixed feelings

6%

Not a fan

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Review Roundup

Germinal by Émile Zola is widely praised for its vivid portrayal of mining communities and its powerful exploration of social justice and workers' rights. While reviewers commend the novel's emotional depth and realist detail, some critics find its depiction of human suffering excessively bleak. Overall, it is regarded as a seminal work in naturalist literature.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Germinal?

Germinal by Émile Zola appeals to readers who appreciate intense social realism, historical fiction, and labor struggles, akin to those found in Charles Dickens' Hard Times and John Steinbeck's The Grapes of Wrath. It's ideal for those interested in 19th-century European settings and detailed portrayals of class conflicts.

4.3

39,664 ratings

80%

Loved it

14%

Mixed feelings

6%

Not a fan

Book Details
Pages

364

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Northern France • 1860s

Publication Year

1885

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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